• The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects & Partnerships
    • AUN-PT Data Hub
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • #PandoraPapers
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects & Partnerships
    • AUN-PT Data Hub
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • #PandoraPapers
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
Striking doctors in Nigeria used to illustrate the story

Doctors in Nigeria used to illustrate the story [Photo credit: Esabod]

Nigerian doctors, other health workers renew rivalry over entitlements

The NMA also declared its opposition to some other demands made by JOHESU and AHPA from the government, describing them as unacceptable.

byEbuka Onyeji
January 11, 2022
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

Nigerian doctors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other healthcare workers under the banners of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association (AHPA) have renewed their perennial conflicts over superiority and entitlements.

JOHESU and AHPA- which comprise healthcare workers except medical doctors and dentists, have been on the negotiation table with the Nigerian government over unpaid salaries and hazard allowances, non-adjustment of the CONHESS salary structure and non-implementation of several court judgments, among other demands.

But as negotiations are yet to reach a conclusion, the associations have repeatedly threatened to embark on strike, even as they wrote the government requesting only non-physicians as negotiators on behalf of the government.

In a letter dated December 16, 2021 and addressed to the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, JOHESU and AHPA requested that only non-physicians would be accepted by them in future negotiations with the government.

The letter reads in part; “Recent events have compelled the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations to formally draw the attention of the minister to the unending cycle of misnomer, where the Federal Ministry of Health dispatches a team completely dominated by physicians to negotiations involving the welfare and accruing benefit packages of members of JOHESU/AHPA.

“The climax of these numerous aberrations usually manifests at times of trade disputes when the Minister of Health would lead teams made up of high numbers of physicians to the negotiating table on matters relating or pertaining exclusively to members of JOHESU/AHPA.”

Doctors’ response

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) expressed its disapproval of the demands in the letter to the health ministry by JOHESU and AHPA.

“In conclusion, by making insinuation not to enter into negotiation with the Federal Government if Doctors were involved, implies that such decisions would be extended to the Honourable Ministers of Health and that of Labour and Employment because they are Physicians,” the NMA stated in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Aniekeme Uwah.

Atiku-Okowa AD

The statement added that “JOHESU should also stop meeting with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and permanent secretaries that are physicians, chief medical directors, chairmen of Senate and House Committees on Health, Governors and Deputy Governors etc. JOHESU has forgotten that the DHS and other Physicians involved in their negotiation were there by virtue of the critical relevance of their offices and NOT in individual capacities as Physicians.

“If we copy and travel this discriminatory road, then NMA will not negotiate with the Federal Government.”

The doctors’ association said JOHESU leadership has “increasingly become physicianphobic” which it said is a form of “dysociopath.”

The NMA also declared its opposition to some other demands made by JOHESU and AHPA from the government, describing them as unacceptable.

NAHCON State AD NAHCON Tour Operator AD NAHCON Cargo Operator AD

Kogi AD

TEXEM Advert

“There is no basis for JOHESU to ask for the same salary as for Medical Doctors as this is not the standard practice worldwide. JOHESU knows that there is a relativity agreement between the Federal Government and the NMA on CONHESS and CONMESS,” the doctors argued.

Unending rivalry

The latest development has marked the continuation of the age-long battle of who-gets-what in Nigeria’s health sector, putting the government between two touchy ends.

Medical doctors and other health workers have been on a warpath for long and the main contentions have been salary adjustments and leadership tussles.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

This may seem as an over-flogged issue but the rift is always reignited whenever any of the warring groups makes a demand on the government.

Although there have been pockets of discontent, one of the most glaring rifts between both groups before now was in 2018 when medical doctors threatened to withdraw their services if the government accedes to the demands of other health workers who were on strike for over three weeks at the time.

“If anyone is to be unhappy, it should be the physicians who are being short changed by the deliberate refusal of the Federal Government to apply internationally accepted relativity in the remuneration of health workers in Nigeria,” the NMA said in its Sunday statement.

“JOHESU is free to negotiate with anybody,” it added.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print



Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate



TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999






PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

UNILAG to graduate 238 First Class candidates as Gbajabiamila delivers convocation lecture

Next Post

Why my husband and I parted ways- Kaffy

Ebuka Onyeji

Ebuka Onyeji

Ebuka Onyeji is a health reporter at PREMIUM TIMES. He also has a penchant for music and art. Ebuka holds a degree in Mass communication from Anambra State University.

More News

Fulani Coalition Leaders

Governments, other ethnic groups ‘working to destroy cattle rearing’ – Fulani herders

January 31, 2023
The Emir of Dutse in Jigawa State, Nuhu Muhammad-Sanusi

JUST IN: Emir of Dutse dies at 79

January 31, 2023
Shops in Byazhin community, Kubwa, FCT

Inability to access credit trapping farmers in poverty in Abuja rural communities

January 31, 2023
Rukayat Shittu youngest APC flag bearer in Nigeria.

How I emerged candidate, finance my campaign – ‘Youngest’ APC candidate

January 31, 2023

Fuel Scarcity: INEC meets NNPCL on availability of products for election logistics

January 31, 2023
The accident scene at the Ojuelegba area of Lagos state

Ojuelegba Accident: Lagos govt names victims, urges police on investigation

January 31, 2023
Leave Comment

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2022 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Digital Store
  • Home
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Gender
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Dubawa NG
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

All content is Copyrighted © 2022 The Premium Times, Nigeria