Union Seeks Review Of Hospital Commercialisation Policy

The Imo State
branch of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union has called on Governor Rochas Okorocha to revisit his policy on commercialisation and concession of general hospitals in the state.
Speaking in Owerri last Thursday, the Chairman of the union, Mr Francis Nzenwata, said he made the call considering the government’s obligation to ensure affordable healthcare delivery to the people.
Nzenwata, an entomologist in the state ministry of health, said since the government was responsible for its citizens affordable healthcare, such policy might not enhance the obligation.
He said no responsible government could afford to gamble with the health of its citizens, and added that the government should ensure that every policy represented the interest of the rich and the poor.
Nzenwata,  pledged that the union would partner with the state government in the development and implementations of policies that would lead to effective healthcare delivery.
“Healthcare is the pivot and social responsibility of the government, but the union must support policies that will lead to healthy society,” he said.
He lauded the governor’s “Health at Your Door Step” policy, adding that the policy will make healthcare easily accessible in the rural areas.
The state entomologist said the union would work with other unions, especially the Nigeria Labour Congress, to fight for the welfare of its members and the general public.
He urged medical and health workers to rise to the challenges of healthcare delivery in the state by embracing team work and dedication.
Nzenwata thanked Okorocha  for approving and implementing 100 per cent of the workers Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
He called on the government to allocate a parcel of land to the union to enable it to build its state headquarters and declared that the union would work closely with the national body in its policies.