The leadership of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, has commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for settling over ₦1.5 billion in outstanding arrears owed to its members.
The payment covers 21 months of hazard allowances and 13 months of promotion arrears that had accumulated over the years.
During a press conference, JOHESU Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Ioryem, expressed gratitude to the governor for addressing their long-standing grievances. He noted that previous administrations had dismissed their demands and labeled them as “opposition health workers” whenever they embarked on strike.
In recognition of Governor Alia’s efforts, JOHESU passed a vote of confidence on him, declaring him their preferred candidate for the 2027 elections. According to Comrade Ioryem, this move reflects the union’s appreciation for the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers in the state.
According to him, “When governor Alia came on board, he visited us in the hospital which was already like a grave yard, we told him how health workers are going through hell and he asked us to put our challenges in writing and bring it to his table which we did and a committee was constituted by the governor to make its findings about the issues we raised.”
“As a listening governor, we told him our plight, this was in August 2024, and on the 24th December, we started receiving alerts ceaselessly, every health worker here is smiling, we are proud of the Governor for his talk and do style,” he added.
He said, ” When we were treated badly by the previous administration, we told members of the press and now that this reverend gentleman is doing well to reposition the health sector for citizens to enjoy quality healthcare services, we will again make it known to the whole world, we cannot hide it.
“What we are saying here is that the Governor has implemented our 25 per cent upwards review of our salary structure as well as the upwards review of our new hazards allowance from N5,000 to N30,000 and he also paid our promotion arrears of 13Months, the Governor is worthy to be celebrated, we didn’t expect this.”
The chairman explained that the JOHESU is a fusion of three unions that operates in the Nigerian Health Sector comprising the National Union of Allies Health Professionals (NUAHP), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associates Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI)
While commending Governor Alia for the choice of Stephen Hwande as BSUTH Chief Medical Director, (CMD) the JOHESU chairman enumerated the achievements of the governor in repositioning the health sector to include the ongoing construction of Cancer Treatment Centre, construction of the 800,000 per litre quality water plant, construction of Pharmacology complex to ensure adequate supply of drugs and consumables,
Others are, establishment of Mental Health and Psycho Social Rehabilitation centre, establishment of Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious diseases, as well as the creation of a serene working environment.
“I want to tell the governor that his choice of Dr Hwande as CMD, is a round peg in a round hole and we want to acknowledge the steps he has taken towards ensuring quality health care services to patients and the recent employment to improve on the human capacity which was grossly inadequate and we are praying to God to guide you in the choice of more good hands to help you in realizing the Benue of our dream,” he added.
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