Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have deferred their ultimatum to shutdown healthcare services in Nigeria.
Following the Federal Government’s inability to meet the requests, the unions had earlier warned they would disturb normal services in hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the country.
But JOHESU’s acting General National Secretary, Mr Matthew Ajorutu, stated in a press release issued on Tuesday, on behalf of JOHESU National Chairman in Abuja, the decision of the body to defer its earlier threat.
Ajorutu also revealed that the decision was unanimously reached by the presidents and general secretaries of affiliate unions and professional associations, NEC members of affiliate unions and JOHESU chairmen and secretaries at the state and branch levels.
The statement reads in part; ”The leadership of JOHESU reasoned that it was necessary to give the Federal Government a conducive environment to present an update on developments with regards to the major demands of JOHESU.
”This, especially in the area of adjustment of CONHESS as it was done with CONMESS while also showing evidence based data of the circularisation of the redress of all highlighted service delivery challenges peculiar to members of JOHESU.
“The expanded NEC lauded the Federal Government for the marginal paradigm shift in resolving some of its demands particularly as it relates the on-going payment of outstanding COVID-19 Special Inducement and Hazard Allowance.
“In a bid to avoid an endless circus show, the leadership of JOHESU needs to make it unambiguously clear that the meeting with the Federal Government on Wednesday, October 6, will be the ultimate litmus test to evaluate the seriousness of the Federal Government to resolve once and for all.
“The tortuous subject matter of adjustment of CONHESS which has lingered since January 2, 2014 (almost 8 years) now and also determine the depth of industrial harmony in the Health Sector.
“Finally, NEC-in-Session unanimously adopts a resolution to put on hold the notice of strike action due to expire mid-night today, October 4, and wait for the outcome of the meeting with Federal Government on October 6, before issuing a fresh notice of fifteen days.”