The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has called on the Federal Government to ensure equal treatment for all healthcare workers and end unfair practices in the health sector.

JOHESU also reiterated its demand for the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government in October 2024.

According to a communiqu? issued by JOHESU over the weekend, these were part of the union?s demands when its National Leadership met with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle, recently in Abuja.

The union, in the document signed by its National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, expressed frustration over persistent disparities in how healthcare professionals are treated, particularly in salary adjustments, promotions, and career progression.

It criticised the repeated adjustments of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors while the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for other health professionals has remained unchanged since 2014.

The union, while applauding the Ministry of Health?s directive for Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) to appoint Consultant Pharmacists, expressed concern that many CMDs have ignored this directive and called for sanctions against non-compliant officials.

The union further acknowledged President Bola Tinubu?s recent approval of a retirement age increase to 65 years for health workers and 70 years for consultants. However, it rejected any form of discrimination between clinical and non-clinical health workers, insisting that the policy should apply to all consultants equally.

Additionally, JOHESU urged the Federal Government to pay seven months? arrears from the CONHESS salary review, now that the 2025 Appropriation Act has been passed.

The union opposed the establishment of the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA), warning that it could cause industrial disharmony. It argued that the proposed agency violates the National Health Act and the October 2024 MoU signed with the government.

Moreover, JOHESU demanded that the ministry immediately withdraw the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) released in mid-2024, insisting that only registered pharmacists should oversee drug procurement and management in health facilities.

?The National Leadership assures members of its unrelenting determination to pursue the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding by the Federal Government without further delay,? it added. (The Sun)

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