Health workers, under the aegis of the Joint Sector Unions in federal hospitals have threatened to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike, if the Minister of Health, Prof.Onyebuchi Chukwu is not removed.
The aggrieved unions include the Medical and Health Workers Union, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Medical Scientists and professionals allied to medicine, otherwise known as Allied Health Professionals.
The Chairman of the MHUN, Mr. Stephen Ibe, who called for the sacking of the minister at a rally organised by JOHESU in Lagos on Wednesday, warned that if their demands were not met, the unions would embark on a three-day nation wide strike.
Ibe accused the minister of sabotaging the interests of other health workers in the country through some policies, while reserving privileges and positions for medical doctors in federal institutions.
According to him,the minister had refused to grant health workers any fair hearing on some grey areas contained in the National Health Bill, which is currently at the National Assembly.
Ibe said, “We have called our members out to inform the government that we are not comfortable with the administration of the present minister of Health,Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, must respect the interest of health workers.