The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has requested a presidential waiver in order to implement the Consolidated Health Salary Structure’s (CONHESS) ongoing modification.
Dr. Kabiru Ado Minjibir, the chairman of JOHESU, bemoaned the difficulties in attaining CONHESS for its members since 2014. This was true even after they met with President Bola Tinubu on June 5, 2023, in the wake of a strike, and were given assurances that the matter would be addressed, which resulted in the suspension of the strike.
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Associated Institutions, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions, and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria are among the organizations that make up JOHESU.
During a courtesy/working visit with Professor Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Minjibir stated that the union is extremely concerned about the non-actualization of the promised CONHESS adjustment because it has “instilled restlessness in the value chain of its members.” The union also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to “intervene to check looming industrial unrest.”
After collectively reviewing the developments of the new initiatives in the coming days to enable it to respond correctly, the union appreciated the guarantees provided by R. Pate, who pledged to activate the mechanisms related to the approval process of the adjustment of CONHESS.
JOHESU asked in a press release signed during the first meeting that the minister take prompt action on the issue. “The non-payment of arrears from June 2023 to January 2024 as well as the improper arithmetical calculations which did not factor in the basic salaries of beneficiaries in working out their taxable allowances,” it further denounced.
We strongly demand that the honorable minister take up the matter with His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu to facilitate an approval of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) or presidential waiver to pave way for the implementation of CONHESS adjustment, as the agitation and protestations of our members have reached a climax, the document stated in part.
After years of inaction on the part of some government branches, JOHESU commended Ms. Daju Kachollom, the current Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, and the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for their excellent work in providing direction to the Consultant Pharmacist project.
The minister complied with the request in cooperation with the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, saying he would use his “usual sterling qualities to catalyze the completion of the creation of vacancies of this cadre by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”
Additionally, the employees petitioned the federal government to prioritize the establishment of Boards of Management for Federal Health Institutions (FHI) across the nation in accordance with relevant Acts of Parliament and statutory requirements.
The University Teaching Hospitals Act, the Federal Medical Centers Act, and Acts of Parliament controlling specialty hospitals in the absence of enabling legislation are just a few of the important pieces of healthcare legislation that they encouraged the government to make sure established FHI adheres with.