Health Workers Call For Salary Increment

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) is urging the Federal Government to act upon a report from the high-level body technical committee.

This report suggests an adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, a change the union believes could prevent a return to the recent industrial action taken by the Joint Health Sector Unions.

The call was made in a statement issued at the end of the association’s national conference in Abuja, which addressed the significant issue of brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.

NUAHP insisted that adjustments made to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure should also apply to the CONHESS.

This, they argue, aligns with the collective bargaining agreement established in 2009 that initiated both salary structures in the health sector.

Kamal Ibrahim, the President of NUAHP, and the General Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, signed the statement, suggesting that the government can stem the brain drain by increasing sector funding, improving working conditions, and creating a better working environment for healthcare workers.

The union also called for immediate implementation of circulars regarding the pharmacist consultant cadre.

They urged for unhindered career progression, a stop to discriminatory practices against health professionals, and stated that the appointment of the Minister of Health should not be exclusively for physicians.

They also suggested that the roles of Chief Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer should be open to other health professionals.

The union further requested an increase in board representation for other healthcare professionals, from one to eight of the board’s 14 members, as these workers make up 95% of the total healthcare workforce.

The union’s statement continued, stating that “The position of Chairman Medical Advisory Committee should no longer be appointed from the University but among substantive Directors/Deputy Directors in teaching hospitals, by the public service rule.”

It also demanded the implementation of a new hazard allowance for health workers across all state health institutions and called for the settlement of outstanding salaries owed to health workers in Abia, Imo, and Rivers State.

Additionally, the union called for an immediate recruitment of health professionals to fill the gaps created by the brain drain.