By Praise Chinecherem
Organized Health Sector Unions, Anambra State chapter Wednesday made an urgent appeal to Governor Charles Soludo to pay the health workers their 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as approved since 2010 by the federal government, and reviewed in 2023.
The Spokesperson of the group and Chairman of the Nigerian Union Of Allied Health Professionals in Anambra State, Comrade Charles Nwoye made the appeal to the Governor while addressing journalists in Nnewi.
Nwoye who doubles as the Deputy National President, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals in the Southern Region disclosed that the health workers in Anambra State had not enjoyed the salary structure to the fullest since 2010 when it was put in place.
“We had issues even during the time of Governor Peter Obi. He never implemented it. At a point only 50% was implemented and when you say you are implementing 50% of what the federal government approved, it looks like nothing has been done. That is what our health workers have been suffering.
“During the time of Governor Willie Obiano, there was a move to make sure that the full implementation was done, but along the line other health professionals and health workers were again sidelined.
“Only the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for the medical and dental practitioners was implemented and our own was left behind.
“And even in recent time they enjoy the full 100% of their CONMESS and our own is left at 50% and 90%, respectively for hospital management and board, and Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.
“Through agitation our union engaged in two years ago, the Teaching Hospital was able to draw our members up to 90% implementation of that CONHESS.
“At present, since last year we have been writing the present administration of our able working Governor, Prof Charles Soludo who we popularly know as “Oluatuegwu” (one who is always finishing and starting new projects) at this last stance who has demonstrated his concern for the people of Anambra State and his commitment to the development of the State.
“This was in line with his campaign promises to make Anambra the Dubai of Africa. We believe that Anambra will not completely become the Dubai of Africa without the health sector also being carried along fully, “the union leader said.
Comrade Nwoye told journalists that the health workers appreciated that the union members had been relatively doing well, leading to the assessment that Anambra health sector had been adjuged among the best in the country.
He reasoned that it was as a result of productivity of the workers that gave credence to satisfaction of government policies in the health sector.
Nwoye argued that if government has all its wonderful and beautiful policies, that there won’t be any positive result if the workers are not result-oriented.
Comrade Nwoye recalled that Anambra State last year won an award as the best in primary healthcare delivery which he said was presented to the Governor.
He noted that the primary healthcare agency was able to make it happen. He added that the health workers were the engine room in that achievement.
He said the union appreciated all the good policies of Mr Governor in the health sector.
He cited free antenatal and free delivery scheme for pregnant mothers put in place by Soludo’s administration, free surgeries for cesarian sections and others as indelible legacies of Soludo’s leadership.
“So, we appreciate all of these but there’s a place that is remaining and that is the care and attention to the human resources in health sector. Human resources can never be compromised in any system because it is the human resources that drive every system.
“Our health professionals in Anambra State health system are not fully motivated and it should be understood that where we are going is still in front. We’re expecting to get to a bigger level, higher stand than what we have achieved already.
“We call on Mr Governor to come to the aid of the health professionals and health workers in Anambra State.
“The Medical lab scientists, the pharmacists, the nurses, the health information managers, the dieticians, the physiotherapists, the radiographers, among others in the union are moving away from the Anambra health system because of poor remuneration.
“You find a situation where some of our health professionals are moving to other nearby States in Nigeria. So, the ‘japas syndrome’ we witness is not only those traveling outside the country.
“You also see the health professionals who are leaving Anambra here to Delta, Enugu and other States for a better remuneration and working condition.
“We call on Mr Governor to, as a matter of urgency, approve and direct the immediate implementation of this CONHESS salary structure to its 100% level.
“Mind you, even the CONHESS salary structure is now obsolete at the federal level because our union has been kicking since 2017 for adjustment of the CONHESS salary structure which requires a good financial upgrading to bring it to where it should be.
“But we are still talking about implementation of the old one and that adjustment we are craving for has not been taken into cognizance or into effect.
“It’s our appeal that the Governor should implement the old salary structure because very soon the adjusted one will come and I don’t know whether they will still be talking about the old one or the new one.
“We don’t want it to get to the level of ultimatum and strike. Sometime last year, we gave ultimatum to this effect but after meeting with the Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government on different occasions and after their pleas and intervention, they appealed to us to follow it gradually.
They promised that government will definitely do something about our demand and we have been waiting since January.
“The ultimatum we gave last was in December and the 15-day ultimatum expired on January 6, and due to the intervention of the government officials including the DSS and other key players in Anambra State polity, we set aside our industrial action and went back to negotiation table.
“Since then we have been following it gradually for peace to reign and to make sure that this CONHESS is implemented 100%.
“We believe by now that the paper to effect the implementation will be on the table of the Governor and we are expecting Mr Governor to give us rapid response that will gladden our hearts to keep on working hard and be more encouraged, more productive in the health sector for Anambra State to still be the light of the nation in the health sector, “the union leader, Nwoye concluded.
