…We are running services says mgt
From Michael Egbejule, Benin City.
As the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) nationwide strike commences shutting down public hospitals, management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has said the hospital remains open and rendering clinical services to patients despite the national industrial disharmony.
A statement made available to newsmen by UBTH Head of Information Unit, Uwaila Joshua said the tertiary health institution is open and providing services in the interest of patients.
“The University of Benin Teaching Hospital is still the clinics are open and running and rendering health services to its patients. Some of our staff have reported to duty and are attending to patients to the best of my knowledge.” Uwaila said.
However, Vice -chairman,Medical Health Workers Union (MHWU) UBTH Branch, Comrade Uche Ngozi and President National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) UBTH Branch, Comrade Austin Osigbemhe in separate interview with our correspondent said it members, particularly nurses have since today Thursday embarked on total strike following the national directive and vowed to sustain the action until the federal government meet their demands.
When the TheNewsGuru.com visited the hospital, some health workers were seen in clusters discussing the situation while others were absent from their duty post, a situation that partially disrupted official and medical services at the UBTH.
The UBTH staff Creche play centre providing services for children of nursing mothers was also closed as some of the caregivers were absent from work while those present turned back parents and their children back home citing the strike by JOHESU.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU had on Monday announced that it will commence its nationwide with from Thursday.
Chairman of the Union, Mr. Biobelemoye Josiah, who announced this on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State noted that the JOHETSU had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 14, 2017, to again draw the attention of the government to their demands but no meaningful action was taken.
He said, “This lackadaisical attitude of the government has necessitated the resolve of JOHESU to call out all our members nationwide to withdraw their services and stay at home with effect from midnight of today (Wednesday) even after waiting patiently until this hour on the approval for adjustments of CONHESS.
