By Matthew Denis Abuja
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has called on the Federal Government to increase the 2023 budgetary allocation for the health Sector to 15 per cent.
This is contained in a Communique duely signed by the National President, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna and the General Secretary Cmr. Martin Egbanubi at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUAHP held in Abuja recently.
The statement reads “ the NEC-in-Session urged Federal Government to give priority to health sector through increase in budgetary allocation to 15 per cent as contained in the Abuja declaration of 2001 in order to have adequate funds for improvement in health infrastructure and addressing the welfare needs of health workers.
“The Federal Government should put up policy, targeted towards strengthening and stabilizing the Naira. In the interim, NEC recommends, that government should forthwith introduce Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for workers as an interim way of cushioning the effect of the current excruciating economic condition in the country. NEC further recommends general salary review for enhanced and sustainable livelihood.
“President Mohamadu Buhari should direct the Federal Ministry of Health to commence the implementation of the circular on Pharmacist Consultant Cadre and other previously approved consultancy cadres for health professionals in the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.
“NEC-in-Session demanded immediate implementation of the approved new hazard allowance for health workers by government at all levels on or before, 31st October, 2022 together with the accrued arrears without further delay, so as to forestall breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.
“NEC-in-Session called on Federal Government to approve and commence implementation of adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in line with the recommendation by National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.”
According to the Communique the NEC-in-Session called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Bill for an Act to amend the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards etc) Act Cap U15 LFN, 2004 formerly known as Decree 10 of 1985 for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his assent.
The NEC urged Mr. President to accede to the numerous demand by critical stakeholders in the public health sector to include representatives of health sector unions and other healthcare professional associations in the Presidential Committee on Health Reform.
“NEC demand immediate payment of arrears of salaries and allowances owed some state healthcare workers especially in Abia, Ekiti and Imo States. This unfair labour practice will no longer be tolerated and the Union with other health sector Unions are considering serious actions within the ambit of the law to ensure these salaries and allowances are paid without further delay.
“Federal Government should sustain military actions against all forms of insurgencies and violence extremisms in the country. This must include utilisation of appropriate technology for intelligence gathering and improved synergy in operation amongst security agencies.
“Government at all levels should put in place measures to provide the needed humanitarian support for victims of flood disaster in the country. NEC also called on well-spirited Nigerians to complement government’s efforts towards mitigating the impact of the flood on the affected communities.
“NEC-in-Session called for declaration of state of emergency on critical health, roads and power infrastructures in the country.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure that all Nigerians that participated in the last voters registration exercise get their permanent voters card before the 2023 general elections so as not to disenfranchise eligible Nigerians. As an electoral umpire, NEC urged INEC to be neutral and deliver a credible, transparent, free and fair elections in 2023. NEC also appealed to security agencies, political parties and INEC to ensure a violent free, fair and credible elections come 2023.”
The Communique also expressed appreciation to President Buhari for the payment of April and May, 2018 withheld salaries of health workers and approval of a new hazard allowance for health workers since December, 2021.
It appeals to the President to continue his magnanimity and consider the reciprocal gesture exhibited by health workers through their Unions to maintain industrial harmony for over two years.