Health Workers In Benue State To Begin Indefinite Strike

Health workers under the auspices of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) and Joint Health Sector Union ( JOHESU) in Benue state will on Thursday, 18th June 2020, embark on a total and indefinite strike action.

The state Chairman of NAGGMDP, Dr Diatah James revealed this information today in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

Explaining that the union had given the state government a 21-day ultimatum over issues that needed urgent attention in the health sector of the state, he added that the state government is yet to address their demands.

Health workers in the state were owed salary arrears of between five to nine months, he informed, which was unacceptable. Timely payment of salaries, payment of special covid-19 allowance, immediate implementation of CONHESS skipping of health workers at the Primary Health Centres and payment of their arrears are all included in their demands.

He made mention of the need for proper entry point for medical laboratory scientists, provision of adequate personal protective equipment for frontline health workers battling covid-19 and also massive employment of all cadre of health workers to avoid collapse of the health sector in the state.

Dr Diatah said the health workers will have to embark on their planned strike as their 21-day ultimatum expires on Thursday, and appealed to the public, including well-meaning sons and daughters of the state, royal fathers and the government to help to save the health sector from impending collapse.

Source:https://thenationonlineng.net/benue-health-workers-to-commence-indefinite-strike/