By Appolos Christian
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), have described as propaganda, threats, blackmail and acts of skulduggery; a recent remarks that the Health Sector Unions are envious and jealous of the Nation Medical Association (NMA).
In its response statement signed by its National Chairman, Comrade Joy Bio Josiah, JOHESU blast and liked NMA’s outburst as an unfortunate position authenticated by intellectual dwarfs.
The stated statement stated: “Typical of the contemporary leadership of the NMA that we have encountered in recent years, the intellectual dwarfs who authenticated the unfortunate NMA position dwelt extensively on propaganda, threats, blackmail and other acts of skulduggery.
“After our usual critical appraisal of all issues, JOHESU/AHPA wishes to posit thus on the various issues canvassed by the NMA: JOHESU as a matter of fact is a legitimate conglomerate of 5 REGISTERED Trade Unions in the Health Sector. It is a metamorphosis from our old Joint Action Committees (JAC) with a more refined and structured depth to be truly impactful.
“JOHESU has made Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) more convenient in terms of logistics for the Federal Government (FG) and State Governments (SG) because those Governments contend with one entity instead of 5.
If the NMA spokespersons were discerning wisely, they would have known that even the courts from the NICN, High Courts, Appeal Courts and the Supreme Court which have powers to interpret the laws have always recognized JOHESU as a juristic template.
“This is why it can sue and be sued. It is this stupendous ignoramus that the NMA continues to exhibit that does not allow it to know that as a mere professional body, it should not be allowed to exercise the privilege of negotiating CBAs on behalf of its membership.
“The tragedy of this aberration is catalysed by their members who hold sway today at both the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity (FML&P).”
Furthermore, JOHESU said; “The accusation of blackmailing the Senate and in particular Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Health remains a figment of the imagination of the NMA hierarchy.
“For the records and umpteenth time, we assert boldly and responsibly that Dr. Oloriegbe, who has complained of the tyrannical propensities of a perceived political dynasty until fate and good fortune smiled on him in the 2019 Senatorial Elections when he defeated then incumbent Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has been more tyrannical than any other Medical Doctor Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.
“In the last 22 years of our democracy, at least the following, which include late Senator Martins Yellowne from Rivers West Senatorial District, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa now Governor of Delta State, Dr. Lanre Tejuosho from Ogun Central Senatorial District have been Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Health. JOHESU/AHPA or any of the other Health professional bodies never accused these Medics of bias at hearings.
“Dr. Oloriegbe stretched his misnomer at the Public Hearings he has presided on vis the NHIS Amendment Bill and the February 1, 2021 hearing by recognising his Medical Constituents above and over other stakeholders.
“At the Public Hearing of February 1, 2021, JOHESU vividly declares again that Oloriegbe gave MDCN, NMA and a representative of Pathologists the floor three times spanning over fifteen minutes while professions like Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Radiography and JOHESU representative got two minutes each to canvass their positions.
“We challenge Oloriegbe and the NMA brigade to produce video and audio evidence contrary to this! The point here is Oloriegbe does not understand the philosophy and basics of running Public Hearings because he pointedly dominates discussions and debates himself while outrightly disenfranchising the stakeholders.
“We must make the point that a third hearing (Public Hearing) at the National Assembly (NASS) even recognise Personal Contributions and not only group representation. Attempts to draw Oloriegbe’s attention to these facts have always been met by threats of eviction by the Sergent-at-Arms.
“JOHESU therefore insists that the Senate must probe the February 1, 2021 Hearing and reorganize the Senate Committee on Health subsequently to prevent vindictive purposelessness associated with the tendencies of the NMA hierarchy as epitomized by Dr. Oloriegbe.
