Health workers urge President to revive tertiary health sector

                                                      

The Medical and Health Workers’ Union (MHWUN) on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to raise the health sector to international standards.

A former National Secretary of MHWUN, Mr Shausu Ter-Moses, made the appeal at a sensitisation programme for health workers in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

Ter-Moses said that "the sector is nothing to write home about now.

"President Muhammadu Buhari should take radical steps towards reviewing the remunerations, condition of service and improved working equipments as a means of motivating the workers towards enhance productivity,’’ he said.

According to him, medical workers are not treated fairly by the Federal Ministry of Health, stressing that their promotions were stagnant unlike that of the doctors who always get theirs as at when due.

"The medical and health workers needs to be given fair treatment by the ministry especially in the areas of promotion and review of salaries,” he said.

He expressed optimism that Buhari would look into the sector and correct the decay.

"The President assured us that he will continue to do his best in the discharge of his duties for the interest of the health of the nation,’’ he said.

The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Dr Joshua Giyan, cautioned health workers against pressing for unrealistic demands or welfare.

Giyan, who was represented by the Head of Clinical Service, Dr Luka Samuel, stressed the need for health workers to always be reasonable in their demand.

"This is to avoid throwing away the baby with the bath water,’’ he said.

He said that the management was commitment to remain partners in progress with the workers and their various unions.

"Our doors are open for dialogue and consultations to ensure an amicable resolution of all issues and demands of the workers,’’ he said.

The Chairman, MHWUN Federal Medical Centre, Keffi branch, Mr Tijjani Zakari, said that the workshop was designed to create awareness and build the capacities of the health workers.

He said that the union is currently inventing new ideas, concepts and approaches to achieving industrial harmony.

"The union is working hard to ensure the delivery of quality health service to Nigerians,’’ he said.