Oyo health workers begin seven-day strike

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Oyo State, commenced a seven-day warning strike on Monday over a 10-point demand from the state government.

The union comprises medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, dental technologists, dental therapists, social workers, radiographers, nutritionists, dietitians, hospital and administrative pharmacists.

Mr. Olanrewaju Ajani, Chairman of NUAHP, Oyo State, announced the strike at the conclusion of a union congress held at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan.

Ajani stated that the seven-day total strike began following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum on Monday. He explained that members in general, state, and specialist teaching hospitals across the state would be withdrawing their services until Monday, March 11.

Ajani emphasized that the union declared the industrial action due to the failure of several meetings and negotiations with the management teams of the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, Oyo Ministry of Health, Head of Service Office, and others to yield positive results.

The demands of the state government requiring prompt attention include the implementation of the new national hazard allowance for health professionals released in 2021, already implemented in some states.

Additionally, the union members requested an adjustment of the CONHESS table for its members in the service of the Oyo State government and the skipping of CONHESS 10 on the CONHESS salary table, as applicable to Grade Level 11.

Among other requests, the union stated that its decision to down tools is for the restoration of the call duty allowance for dental therapists, the implementation of a full directorate of medical lab services at the hospital management board, and the implementation of a teaching allowance for NUAHP members deeply involved in the training of interns and students.

They also called for the urgent revamp of adequate funding for State health facilities.

Ajani urged the state government to consider their demands, stating that members were forced to take action after exhausting all mechanisms to avoid a trade dispute.

A top government official in the state Ministry of Health, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, mentioned that the government had been doing its best to address the needs of the NUAHP before now.

The source, however, described some of the demands as quite demanding and inherited but assured continued efforts of the government to address the issues behind the strike.