By Doyin Ojosipe
The National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have postponed their planned indefinite industrial action as it awaits a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, which has been rescheduled to take place on Thursday, October 9, 2014.
In a memo, which was co-signed by the chairman of the 2 unions, the groups expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision taken by the Federal Ministry of Health, directing that all health workers who are not registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCON) could use the title ‘Consultant’ in a hospital environment.
It would be recalled that part of the demands made by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) which had equally led to an almost 2 months total and industrial action was to stop other health workers, who are not doctors from bearing the designation ‘consultant’
However, NUAHP and JOHESU have threatened a national industrial action if such decision by the federal government was not reversed, adding that “it is not only a ruse; it is false, incorrect, wrong and unacceptable.”
The health unions also called on government to avoid being accused of discrimination and allow for all health workers to thrive on same grounds rather than continuously exalting one above the other.
