Striking health workers ‘hide’ patients’ files, surgical equipment

The ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has forced the suspension of major  operations at the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) as the striking workers have allegedly hidden patients’ files and surgical equipment.
The health workers commenced the warning strike last Thursday to press home demand for better working conditions.
They are also asking for the correction of what they called “lopsidedness” in the appointment of hospital heads and board members which according to them is in favour of medical doctors.
It was gathered that following the strike, patients have been under the exclusive care of medical doctors.
A medical doctor who pleaded not to be named said the strike was frustrating their activities as the striking workers locked up patients’ files and surgery equipment.
The Chief Medical Director of UDUTH, Dr. Yakubu Ahmad, said the institution had cleared some of their demands locally and were working with the government to resolve the rest.
He lamented the action of the workers which he said would decrease revenue and scare away private partners, especially those who supply them with equipment.
“The strike is crippling our services, destroying the health sector and our partnership with private sectors,” he said.
He appealed to the workers to consider the patients. The JUHESU chairman in the hospital, Comrade Hassan Sani, said they have been agitating since 2008, but that nothing was done by the government.