By Sam Kayode
The National Union of Allied Health Professionals, Borno State Chapter, has warned that their exclusion from the recent upgrade of salaries by the government is detrimental to the development of the sector.
They warned that their exclusion was not only retrogressive but a naive move which could lead to a complete collapse of the already fragile State healthcare system.
In a recent statement issued by Kaka Mele the secretary of the organization, the union warned that there is obvious disharmony and discrimination in the health and human resource workforce leading to the system working at crossroads.
He regretted that the ultimate victims are the residents of Borno State who should be getting full dividend but may not because his members are unhappy.
“It is sabotage for the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to pretend not to know that the Allied workers were excluded, NMA being the only health group in the State health sector enjoying these privileges and others for the past 4 years or more.” Said the statement.
Thy protested vehemently against their exclusion from the 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) implementation in Borno State.
The union noted that professionals like physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists were unfairly left out of the current arrangement calling for a correction of the said omission.
In the statement, the union urged the state government to address the oversight to ensure equitable treatment and enhanced healthcare delivery.
The union appreciated the government’s efforts to improve healthcare but emphasized the crucial role allied health professionals play in the synergy within the healthcare system which is why they must be taken seriously.
As the state government considers the union’s request, it remains to be seen how this will impact the entire health sector in Borno State.
The union’s plea highlights the need for inclusive policies that recognizes the contributions of all healthcare workers.
