By Asma’u Ahmad
The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has given a one month fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet their demands or risk a nationwide strike.
The Vice Chairman of the union, Mr Ogbonna Obinna, issued the threat on Thursday during a visit to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.
Obinna said that they were in Kano to seek for the intervention of the CMD into the lingering crisis between the union and the federal government.
“We are not playing new demands but pressing over our claims and we deserved to be considered in view of the fact that medical practitioners have been enjoying their entitlements,’’ he said.
He explained that the association had decided that to embark advocacy and engage in dialogue before embarking on the industrial action.
Obinna revealed that JOHESU would engage elders in the country to intervene in the issue to trigger positive reactions from the federal government.
Responding, the CMD, Prof. Aminu Zakari, lauded the initiative of the union for embracing dialogue as an alternative disrepute resolution.
Zakari said strike was never a solution to the persistent problem but dialogue remained the best option.
He pledged to forward the request of the members to the Minister of Health, saying the government has been at its best to reposition all sectors of national life.
The CMD pointed out that the economic situation of the country might be responsible for the slow response from government in meeting all the demands of the union.
Media men also reports that JOHESU is threatening to embark on the strike on April 17, if the federal government failed to meet its members demands.
