Health
Health Workers Protest Unpaid Allowances, want FG to Act Quick
The Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Lagos State Council, has called on the Federal Government to fulfill its agreement with health workers over payment of allowances.
The Coordinating Chairman of SSAUTHRIAI, Mr Omoniyi Olalekan, made the call during a protest/news conference organised by the association on Wednesday in Lagos.
Newsmen report that the union carried out a peaceful protest to express their feelings and grievances over unpaid allowances.
The health workers displayed different placards that described their demands from government which included the implementation of new hazard allowance, COVID-19 inducement allowance and CONHESS adjustment.
Olalekan, also the Chairman, Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital Yaba, said that an agreement was signed with the government in April 2020 for the payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance.
He explained that government agreed to pay health workers in teaching hospitals 50 per cent of their basic salary, while 40 per cent be paid to those in specialist hospitals as Covid-19 inducement allowance.
According to him, the allowance payment is expected to cover for three months- April, May and June 2020.
“But when it was time for payment, the government came up with its magic by categorising some of our members as non- essential workers and 10 per cent was paid to them.
“Series of meetings with the Federal Government was held where the Minister of Labour agreed that the 10 per cent was paid in error and agreed to pay the remaining balance of 30 per cent.
“The 30 per cent was paid for just one month and up till now – it is more than a year now, and nothing has been done.
“Both the remaining two months of 40 per cent due for health workers in teaching hospitals and 30% for the specialist hospitals has not been paid.
“The government is taking our patience for granted.
“That’s why we are using this medium to appeal to the Federal Government to fulfill the agreement and do the needful, if some of these issues are not addressed, we can not guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector.”
According to him, senior staff in the health sector include nurses, professionals and majority of the health workers.
“We work in health domain and deals with lives, as a result, we may not want to go on strike because many lives will be affected.
“But if nothing is done, we may have no option than to give ultimatum and once the senior staff decides to go on strike, the whole hospital is empty and nothing will bring us back until that money is paid,” Olalekan said.
Also speaking, the former Chairman of Health Sector Trustee of SSAUTHRIAI, Mr Adegoke Kehinde, called for the implementation of the new hazard allowance for health workers.
Kehinde, said that payment of the harzard allowance was supposed to have started on January 2021, but has not been implemented till date.
According to him, when arrears accumulate for too long, it becomes difficult for government pay.
He added that a seven-man committee was set up in October 2021 to fine-tune the CONHESS adjustment, saying that till now, nothing has been heard.
“The truth is that, the moment we issue an ultimatum and day it expires, action will start and we know we are in essential services that deals with lives and won’t want to lose any of our patients.
“But the fact that we’re in essential services does not mean we can not express our grievances – it is our right.
“The agreement that the government signed was not done in duress; it was under peaceful atmosphere and the three parties – the government, the union and those that meditate the process reach the agreement.
“We are pleading; let the government do the needful before we issue an ultimatum. But if government fails to act, then, another sector – the health sector nationwide is going to shutdown.
“And what is currently happening in the education sector will be a child play, the health sector’s will not be a joke,” he said.
The immediate past chairman, Senior Staff Association, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Mr Bitrus Nelson, urged the Federal Government to address the issue in order not to allowed crisis in the economy to compound.
Nelson, also a Veteran of SSAUTHRIAI, sympathised with the education sector that had been down for over six months, but insisted that the government listen to the health workers.
He said, “We have enough in our hands already, so the government should not allow this to compound again.
“Imgine the current situation of the economy – the education sector is down, the security situation is bad and the health comes to join, I think our hands will be too full.
“If citizens should start having challenges accessing healthcare, people will start dying and before you know it, the total economy is going to collapse and is the citizens that will suffer it.”
Nelson, however, urged members of the association to continue to exercise some level of restraints as they wait for the government to do the needful. (NAN)
The Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg) has advised Nigerians to embrace healthy preventive lifestyle habits to prevent the root causes of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases.
The President of SOLONg, Dr Moyosore Makinde, gave the advice in an interview in commemoration of the “Global Lifestyle Medicine Week” on Tuesday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, taking place from May 18 to May 24, 2025, has the theme “Celebrating Healthy Habits: Inspire Change with D.
R.E.A.M.S.”Makinde, also an International Board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, said the week was dedicated to raising awareness about the transformative power of lifestyle medicine in improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of chronic diseases worldwide.
According to her, lifestyle medicine empowers people to live healthier, happier and longer lives.
She explained that the D.R.E.A.M.S. acronym highlighted the six key pillars of lifestyle medicine that guide individuals toward healthier lives namely: Predominantly plant-based Diets, positive Relationships or social connections, Exercise, Avoidance of toxic substances, Mental wellness and stress management, and restorative Sleep.
She said that these pillars had been proven by scientific research to not only manage and prevent chronic diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer’s but also to promote a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with ourselves and with our planet.
Makinde added that it contributed to planetary health and the stability of our ecosystem.
“SOLONg is proud to announce its participation in Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, taking place from May 18 to May 24, 2025.
“Scientific studies, including numerous randomised clinical trials and longitudinal studies, have consistently shown the remarkable benefits of lifestyle interventions in reducing the incidence of chronic conditions.
“Additionally, these healthy habits play a pivotal role in strengthening resilience against infectious diseases.
“The ongoing impact of several pandemics has underscored the importance of adopting healthy behaviours, as poor lifestyle choices have been associated with worse disease severity and slower recovery times,” she said.
Contributing, the General Secretary of SOLONg, Dr Chika Anozie, said that Global Lifestyle Medicine Week aimed to foster a community of like-minded individuals and healthcare professionals committed to lifestyle medicine.
Anozie, also a Family Physician, said that SOLONg would organise various activities to mark the week, including a Webinars and educational workshops on lifestyle medicine topics.
She added that there would be courtesy visits and community outreach programmes promoting healthy habits, as well as social media campaigns sharing lifestyle medicine tips and resources.
“As we observe Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, it is clear that the need for Lifestyle Medicine is greater than ever.
“This is a clarion call for the government to create policies that promote healthy lifestyle practices while restricting behaviours that contribute to disease.
“We urge medical institutions to prioritise the accreditation of Lifestyle Medicine programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
“It is equally important that health professionals receive the proper training to effectively communicate these life-saving messages to the public.
“The Society encourages individuals to embrace the principles of healthy living, which are not only lifechanging but also long-lasting,” she said.(NAN)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified its stance regarding the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol.
Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of the FCT Directorate of the agency, in an interview on Monday in Abuja that the temporary lifting of the ban was only valid until Dec.
31, 2025.He emphasised that the recent ministerial lifting of the ban was not permanent and urged the public to disregard misinformation suggesting that the government had permanently lifted the restriction.
“There is a ministerial lifting on the ban of sachet alcohol, but it is only temporary and will be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2025.
“After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.
“The minister granted this temporary relief to allow manufacturers and regulators time to collaborate and ensure a more structured and effective implementation of the ban,” Azikiwe stated.”
He highlighted NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to sensitise the public across the country, noting that awareness campaigns had reached every state.
“We have sensitised distributors, and we’ve emphasised that alcohol should not be sold to individuals under the age of 18, which is also clearly indicated on product labels,” he added.
Azikiwe also commended the Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) for supporting the awareness drive.
He reassured the public that NAFDAC remained fully committed to regulating alcohol consumption and reiterated that sachet alcohol products containing less than 200 milliliters would be phased out after Dec. 2025.(NAN)
The World Health Organisation(WHO) says that Prof. Mohamed Janabi has been nominated as the next Regional Director of the World Health Organisation(WHO) African Region.
The organisation said in a statement that the nomination was during a special session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in Geneva ahead of the World Health Assembly on Sunday.
“The special session by member states of the WHO African Region to elect the next Regional Director was agreed upon and organised following the sudden and untimely death of Regional Director-elect, Dr Faustine Ndugulile in November 2024.
“Other candidates were Dr N’da Konan Michel Yao (proposed by Côte d’Ivoire), Dr Mohammed Dramé (proposed by Guinea), and Prof.
Moustafa Mijiyawa (proposed by Togo),” it said.According to it, Janabi’s nomination would be submitted for appointment by the 157th session of the WHO Executive Board, which will take place from May 28 to 29 in Geneva.
It said that the newly appointed Regional Director would take office thereafter for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.
In his acceptance remarks, Janabi expressed commitment to advancing health of the people of the region.
“Thank you for your trust in me. I will not let you down. Your support underscores our collective resolve to build a healthier stronger and more united Africa.
“As we face challenges ranging from infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases to climate change and limited health financing, we must harness African resilience and unity,” he said.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, congratulated Janabi on his nomination as Regional Director for Africa and praised the other candidates on their campaigns.
“I offer my warm congratulations to Janabi on his nomination as Regional Director for Africa, and also to the United Republic of Tanzania.
“I also thank Dr Yao, Dr Lamine and Prof. Mijiyawa on their campaigns for this challenging but extremely important position,” Ghebreyesus said.
According to Ghebreyesus, Janabi will take the reins at an unprecedented time for the African Region, and WHO as a whole.
“We are grateful for his experience and expertise as we work together to navigate the challenges we face, and position our organisation to be stronger, sharper and more effective in the future.
” I look forward to his appointment by the Executive Board, and to working with him for a healthier, safer, fairer Africa,” Ghebreyesus said.
He thanked Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, for his service in steering the regional office during the transition period following the end of the term of former Regional Director Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
In his remarks, Ihekweazu congratulated Janabi and wished him success as he takes up the new role.
“Congratulations Janabi on your election. This is a true reflection of the trust that member states have placed in you.
“The African region has made important strides in health. But it also faces real and complex challenges.
“You can count on my support and that of all of WHO Africa as you take on this new role to serve our people,” Ihekweazu said.(NAN)
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