Dr. Joshua Giyan, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, has appealed to members of the Joint Health Sector Unions to resume work in order to save human lives.
Giyan made the call on Friday while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria on the strike in Keffi.
NAN recalls that on September 21, JOHESU members of the centre joined the nationwide indefinite strike declared by the national body of the union.
All other health workers of the FMC complied with the order except medical doctors who are not members of JOHESU.
The medical director said the appeal has become imperative in order to prevent loss of lives.
Giyan noted that the strike had brought untold hardship to Nigerians, especially the less privileged who do not have the means to access private healthcare services in the country.
He added that the industrial action has done more harm than good, especially in the health sector, hence the need for the health workers to return to work in the interest of patients.
He said: “Health workers in FMC Keffi only went on strike in solidarity with their counterparts nationwide because we have been living above board as everybody is aware that the centre has always given topmost priority to the welfare of its staff and patients.
“It is in view of this that I want to appeal to them to reciprocate the goodwill and gestures of the centre , and good work that the centre have been doing concerning their welfare by returning to their work in order to save the lives of our patients.
“They should return to their duties post to attend to patients who are under their care because patients are kings in every health sector and a healthy person can become a patient one day but that is not our prayers.
“I am telling you that the effect of strike is on everybody including those that are striking, hence the need for the aggrieved health workers to go back to work in their interest, in the interest of poor Nigerians and for the overall development of the country.”
Giyan also called on health workers to always shun strike and embrace dialogue at all time no matter their grievances while discharging their duties.
He restated the commitment of the centre to continue to improve on the welfare of its staff and patients and called on them to complement government efforts through hard work in order to ensure quality service delivery.
The medical director commended the Federal Government for its continued commitment and efforts in funding the health sector and called for its sustenance.
NAN recalls that JOHESU embarked on the indefinite strike to press home their demands for improved condition of service and facilities in healthcare centres.
The specific demands includes review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years , autonomy for teaching and specialist hospitals, improved funding, abolition of the scale to scale promotion and salary review, among others.
NAN.