Following the strike action embarked upon by the Joint Health Workers’ Union (JOHESU) FMC Asaba, patients under intensive care unit including those with related cares, are currently facing excruciating pains over the paralyzed medical services.
As early as 7am on Wednesday, Executives of the affiliate bodies, and those of JOHESU were seen at the hospital to ensure enforcement of the strike action as directed by its National Body.
Expectedly, the hospital was under lock and key as patients were turned back from the gate, while patients already admitted, and cannot be moved out immediately were reportedly abandoned.
While two patients were alleged to have died, some of the patients who had come to the hospital early for their healthcare needs, lamented that the incessant industrial crises were often instigated by doctors to boost their privately owned hospitals/clinics.
Mrs Pat Ochuodo, one of the patients who spoke to our reporter said she came from Ogodo in Aniocha North Local Government Area and was referred to private hospital.
She said, I was turned back to a private hospital, and my child who was also sick was discharged. But the secretary of one of the unions who did not want his name in the print said: “Operation Alligator bite, our members have been denied most of their nights such as promotion, and call duty allowances.”
Another member of the JOHESU at the FMC, Dr Benjamin Chukwunoso Ajufor told our reporter that the lingering industrial crisis crippling the health sector was alleged double standard, revealing that the recent industrial action was informed by government’s alleged favouritism to a section of the medical profession at the expense of others.
He said: “the crisis started in 2010 when the government abolished the skipping of Grade Level II, which was originally the right of other health workers as contained in the extant rules of the public service” disclosing that government went ahead to institute court action against JOHESU, unfortunately, the judgment went in favour of JOHESU.
“Ever since the government has refused to implement the skipping for our members, most of them are stagnated and owed over 19 months salary arrears” Mr Ajufo added.
He noted that the Health Act 2010 forbids non-trade unions from embarking on industrial action, adding that doctors who are not members of trade unions and not entitled to skipping, had held the sector to ransom by looking up hospitals, embarking on strike and forcing government to skip a grade level for them.”
