The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH – Nnewi chapter), Anambra State,
has written the House of Representatives Committee on Health over delayed payment of benefits due its members.
A letter by the Chairman Anahalu Ikenna, and Secretary Charles Nwoye, appealed to the lawmakers to prevail upon the Federal Government to release funds to pay arrears of differentials for 2015, 2016 and 2017 promotion allowances to its members.
It complained that the April and May 2018 payments were still withheld, and urged the committee to pressurise the Ministry of Health and Labour to pay up.
The petition reads: “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are not adequately provided in NAUTH and other COVID-19 palliatives. Appointment of deputy chairman, medical advisory committee has continued to elude us. We ask that you impress on the NAUTH management to make such an appointment from among other health professionals other than medical and dental practitioners.
“The ADR of National Industrial Court of Arbitration ruled that COMMESS salary scale be adjusted in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government, but the ministry of health is yet to implement the directives.
“Appointment of consultants and payment of specialist allowance to other health professionals had been granted to us in the ADR, but we are yet to be appointed. Discrimination in the payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance should stop. The health ministry should properly implement the hazard allowance as signed in the MoU.”
