Health Workers Raise Alarm Over Plot To Sell General Hospitals In Imo

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understaffed and not equipped properly and that they have outdated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.

—Trumpeta