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The Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu Chapter of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has issued a seven (7) day ultimatum to the executive Governor of Imo state Rochas Okorocha through the Joint Action Committee of Trade Union IMSUTH branch as follow – up of their earlier issue 21 and 14 days date 9/07/2012 and 31/07/2012 respectively. The latest ultimatum of 7 days stated emphatically that by the expiration of the 7 days, theUnioncan not guarantee industrial harmony if their demands were not met.
Their demands include: total rejection of the planned downsizing of IMSUTH workforce from its 934 staff. They are of the view that more staff should be employed in areas of need, payment of monetization arrears of 24 month, implementation of the consolidated tertiary institution salary structure (CONTISS) of 15 month and consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) of 19 months, release of 2008, 2009 and 2010 IMSUTH promotions, upwards funding of IMSUTH subvention to 152million naira as a proved by the Imo state House of Assembly, and the removal of the Chief Medical Director Dr Alex Emeka Chukwuemeka. It was revealed that Dr Chukwuemeka has been removed.
The ultimatum was issued at a congress of the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions (JACTU) with the participation of both the National and the state executives of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN). The ultimatum was signed by Comrd. BOV Okere Chairman MHWUN, Comrd J. Adim, Secretary MHWUN, Comrd Faith Uchenwoke Chairperson NANNM, and Comrd Ihetu Gladys Secretary NANNM all of IMSUTH branch chapter.
Speaking at the congress Comrd DV Nnadi state Chairman MHWUN reminded the workers that, they are the electorate that made Okorocha the governor, therefore he is bound to listen and meet their demand.
The National president Health Institutions Consultations Forum (HICF) Comrd Chinedu Nwobodo, frowned at the non- chalant attitude of the government towards Health Care sector, he challenged health workers to rise against any form of capitalism in the state. Comrd Nwobodo charged the workers to take their job seriously.
Comrd Hycinth Anyanwu the deputy chairman National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNAM) decried the mess in the health sector inImoState, he wondered why traditional ruler should be the ones to manage health centers. Comrd Anyanwu Pledged his Unions support to the IMSUTH workers on their step to press home their demand.
The national deputy chairman of MHWUN Comrd. SAB Osuji who represented the National chairman Comrd. Ayuba Awaba, disclosed that there are enormous problems in the state and caution the state Governor not to create more by allowing the health worker of IMSUTH embark on strike by meeting their demand which he said is justified, in his words “The new salary structure should be implemented, as applicable in FMC, promotions should be released, we are against downsizing because unemployment is the major problem in Imo state. as we all know every workers has more than two other dependants”.
Some of the dignitaries that graced the congress include Comrd BOV Okere the convener, Comrd SA Osuji Deputy National President MHWUN, Comrd Chinedu Nwobodo, President HICF, Comrd DV Nnadi state chairman MHWUN, Comrd Hyacinth Anyanwu, Deputy state chairman NANNW, Comrd Onyinye Okere state PRO NANNW, Comrd Nwaneri, Comrd Faith Uchenwoke, Angela Okorie state officers among others.
