By Samuel Ibezim
The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) Imo State Chapter has raised alarm on a plot to sell General Hospitals in the state by the state government to private individuals.
The health union also accused the senior special adviser (SSA) to Governor Rochas Okorocha on media, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo of misinforming Imolites through unwarranted and incessant press releases on the health sector.
In a press release by the secretary of the health body, Deacon Ikedi Onah, the health union condemned the act as it has the aim of bringing public ridicule and odium to them. “The attention of the Joint Health Sector Union has been drawn to the unwarranted and incessant press releases championed by the SSA on media to His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha OON, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, which tends to castigate Imo health workers and bring them to public ridicule and odium. The organised unions feel highly embarrassed by that for whatever purpose he seeks to achieve.” he stated.
Also, the health workers on raising alarm in plot to sell the general hospitals, said that the SSA media must be acting on this script, “We are very much aware of the move by some people to convince the government to sell the general hospital to them. SSA media, we are sure, is acting on this script and should therefore be bold to convince Imolites on this instead of resorting to blackmail of health workers as political excuse.”
Deacon Onah said that most of the hospitals are not fenced and there is no security to protect lives of workers and hospital property. He questioned why the SSA media refused to tell Imolites how many times their female workers were raped and molested severally as a result of inadequate security. He informed that the hospitals are grossly understaffed and not equipped properly and that they have outdated equipment. That the hospital roofs are leaking and there are no sources of portable water supply and even electricity. He cited the Mbieri Hospital that has only five (5) medical doctors but was shocked of the government’s claim of having fourteen (14) medical doctors and fourteen nurses. More so, that they are being owed salaries since March 2015 and wondered why the government never mentioned it.
The union insisted that they enjoyed cordial and harmonious relationship with the government over four years. They called on the governor to admonish her spokesperson to put a stop to such propaganda so as to avoid the infusion of ‘bad blood’ in the existing industrial harmony in the state.
