Senate intervenes in health workers’ strike

The Senate on Friday intervened in the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), in a bid to end the strike and make the nation’s hospitals functional once again.

The President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki was in a meeting with the leadership of JOHESU, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, to hear their sides the issue.

At the meeting with the JOHESU leadership, led by its Chairman, Comrade  Biobelemonye Joseph, Saraki pledged that the Senate would ensure that the right thing is done to end the strike.

In a statement in Abuja, Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate, Sanni Onogu,  said Saraki’s meeting with Adewole and Ngige was meant to hear their sides of the issue and to forge a way forward, not only to end the strike but to ensure that there was lasting peace and industrial harmony in the nation’s health institutions.

Saraki said the Senate and indeed the National Assembly, would ensure that the right thing was done to end the strike.

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He noted that it was not in the interest of the country to have its hospitals closed while he pledged that the Senate would work with all stakeholders to ensure that the strike is called off.

Saraki said: “Our interest here in the Senate and the National Assembly in general, is to find a solution to this problem. It is not in the interest of the country for us to have our hospitals closed and we must work to ensure they are reopened promptly.

I have heard your remarks, I will spend sometimes to discuss with you and get more details to see how we can put an end to this strike.

“On our own part, we will bring all parties involved together to ensure that where commitments have been made, those who made the commitments honour them.

“The only thing I can assure you is that we will make sure that the right thing is done and that this matter is resolved,” he said.