By Ndidi Chukwu
At last president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has agreed to listen to striking Joint Health Workers Union, (JOHESU) who began its nationwide strike November last year. The Union Vice President Dr. Felix Fanyran told Health Reporters that the President has agreed to meet with the exco of the union next week, he hinted that the decision by President Jonathan was made, late Monday as he pleaded with the Union not to go on with its planned national protest scheduled for Tuesday to demand for answers.
For what may look like a swift reaction by the President to hold every side that may tarnish his political ambition and campaign, Fanyran said “the president pleaded with us not to take to the street on that Tuesday, that was the only reason why we did not go on with our national rally, to demand for our rights, because we have been ignored for so long, we are marginalized and this time we want the right things to be done”
In a press release made available to Journalists by the Union’s media officer Jack Lampang, said ” the national rally expected in Abuja today, 28th January 2014 has been put on hold to give room and respect for Mr. President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who has expressed his willingness to hold a meeting with the leadership of JOHESU to end the strike soonest”
Why Mr. President allowed the strike to linger for over three months, leaving hospitals deserted and lives lost till the alarming protest which may affect his presidential campaign, as elections approaches could pose rhetorical questions, whether it is about his ambition or about the masses who have lost their lives due to the strike, or the pain of those who have lost their loved ones, or even those who have spent more in private hospitals due to lack of functional health insurance. Nigerians at this point would hope that Mr. President would resolved the issues with JOHESU and ensures that hospitals become functional again.
