JOHESU STRIKE CRIPPLED ACTIVITIES AT BSUTH:

1. JOHESU Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi this morning 6th October declared an indefinite Strike after several failed negotiations with members of Top Management of the Hospital. The Strike is said to become necessary due to fast and high deteriorating state of the Hospital and poor treatment of Staff. It will be recalled that, the Assembly of Unions which is an Umbrella mega body comprising five big Unions had issued a 14 days ultimatum to the Management this follow a 7 days grace period and another 15 days intervention period from Benue State NLC leadership. All the avenue for negotiations failed as the Management became irresponsible in their dealings in failing to comply with JOHESU demands. The Chairman JOHESU who doubled as the Chairman NANM Comr. Tahav Kershio this morning in the Hospital said, it has become necessary since management could not address issues lay before them or comply with some of their demands which bother on the risk of Staff been exposed to their patients he said, the unavailability of water for Staff to wash hands after dressing wounds or dealing with patients is a threat and a calculated attempt to expose Staff to patients who sometimes suffer different illnesses. The Strike has so far witness total compliance from all members of the mega Unions there by bringing the Hospital to its kneels as only Doctors are left to work during the Strike. The Unions are demanding for better working environment with availability of essential working tools such as dressing pads, water, constant electricity, soaps, detergents and sensitizing agents. Other problems are improper placement of Staff and the long over due unpaid claims since 2015 to date. The Unions are also demanding for more man power as there have been many deaths in the Hospital due to too much pressure on Staff who have been over worked at most times. The Strike is expected to last as long as the Management and government of Benue State continue their shadow work.