Brace up for challenges posed by coronavirus, Buhari tells health workers

March 10, 2020
203 Views

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday appealed to workers in the health sector agitating for more money to bear with the administration as it braces up for the challenges posed by coronavirus to the economy.

The President, who made the appeal when workers in the health sector under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly Healthcare Professionals Associations (AHPA) paid him a courtesy call at the State House, Abuja.

He gave an assurance that government was looking into their issues with a view to resolving them.

“Your case is certainly receiving attention, but you must bear in mind the condition that the country is in now. Coronavirus is not improving matters. It is affecting what we very much depend on, the petroleum industry and therefore revenue,” he said.

Buhari also called on his visitors to appeal to the patriotic sentiments of their members in these trying times and continue to work for further development of the country.

“So please try and help us with your people. Let us be patriotic, let us look at the ways and means of the government and appeal for restraint…We have to emphasize that it is very important we maintain cohesion together, because if we allow sentiments or popularity to overwhelm our reasoning faculties, we will be in trouble and it will be too late for us to adjust, so please bear with us,” said the President.

“We thank God. God is very sympathetic to us. The three previous rainy seasons were good. We had good foresight in getting fertiliser, making it available and we virtually achieved food security. We made good decisions, and we saved hundreds of millions of dollars on importation of food. If not, we would have been in real trouble,” he added.

JOHESU, an amalgam of five registered trade unions and AHPA, under the leadership of Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, had come to intimate the President with some of the contentious issues in the sector and to thank him for some of the positive developments.

Notably, they appreciated President Buhari’s prompt release of funds for tackling Coronavirus; thanked him for assenting to the National Health Act which provides for a one percent consolidated fund for the health sector; and for rejecting the advice of stakeholders who clamoured for the privatization of the health sector which would have deprived the masses access to affordable healthcare.

They also requested the President’s intervention in adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS); withheld April and May 2018 salaries of members; gazetting of scheme of service for nurses; and restoration of teaching allowances among others.

Also in attendance were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Minister and the Minister of State in the Health ministry, Dr.Osagie Ehanire and Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora respectively; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

PV: 0

You may be interested

Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent
Sports
1 views
Sports
1 views

Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent

Webby - November 16, 2024

Former Falconets forward Opeyemi Ajakaye has joined USL Super League club, Carolina Ascent FC on loan.Ajakaye linked up with Carolina…

Orban’s Lyon Face Provisional Relegation To Ligue 2 Amid Financial Woes
News
1 views
News
1 views

Orban’s Lyon Face Provisional Relegation To Ligue 2 Amid Financial Woes

Webby - November 15, 2024

Olympique Lyon the club of Nigerian striker Gift Orban, have been handed a provisional Ligue 1 relegation by theDNCG who…

Ghana Miss Out On AFCON 2025 Qualification After Draw With Angola
News
1 views
News
1 views

Ghana Miss Out On AFCON 2025 Qualification After Draw With Angola

Webby - November 15, 2024

Black Stars of Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s AFCON was ended after they played a 1-1 draw away…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.