The Oyo State Hospitals Management Board’s branch of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals embarked on a seven-day warning strike on Monday to make their requests known.
Olanrewaju Ajani, the union’s unit chairman, told reporters in Ibadan that the warning strike was a result of the ultimatum issued to the state government during the union meeting on February 23.
Mr Ajani stated that the ultimatum, which began on February 26, concluded on March 4.
“We hereby direct all our members in all the hospitals and health facilities across the state to proceed on strike starting today (Monday).
“It will last till March 11, and if, after the expiration, there is no feasible outcome, the union will declare an indefinite strike, after which our members in all the general, state and specialist/teaching hospitals across the state are to withdraw their services,” said Mr Ajani.
The union leader said that most of the demands by the union had been dragging on for a long time without members receiving the expected attention from the state government.
According to him, the seven-day ultimatum notice is in line with section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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He said the union leadership had held several meetings and negotiations with the management teams of Oyo State Hospitals’ Management Board, Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of Service and other relevant offices.
He also stated that several committees had also invited the union leadership on different occasions to make presentations, with no fruitful response to members’ agitations.
However, he disclosed that the demands that needed urgent and prompt attention from the government included the implementation of the new national hazard allowance for health professionals, adding that the circular towards this effect was released in 2021.
“We demand the implementation of a teaching allowance for NUAHP members who are deeply involved in training interns and students on clinical and research postings and the adjustment of the CONHESS table for our members, as already implemented for medical doctors since 2021.
“We also demand the release of promotion letters for qualified members who participated in the last promotion exercises in the state, which others have been enjoying some months ago, and the restoration of call duty allowance for dental therapists.
“We want the recruitment of more health workers and professionals to include members of NUAHP to replace those who are retiring and those who left the service of the state, among other demands,” he said.
The union’s leadership called upon Governor Seyi Makinde to carefully examine the demands of NUAHP members and address them with the urgency they rightfully deserve.
