Strikes Will endanger Lives, Zamfara tells health Workers

 

 

Strike will endanger lives, Zamfara tells health workers

 

The Zamfara State Government has cautioned health workers in the state against embarking on their proposed strike, warning that such action would put citizens’ lives at risk.

 

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Mohammed Maradun, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday night following the threat of industrial action by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).

 

She acknowledged the issues raised by the union but stressed that government had taken concrete steps to address their concerns.

 

“Our goal is to ensure a healthy and productive workforce that can effectively serve the people, especially during critical public health challenges like the ongoing cholera outbreak,” Maradun said.

 

She explained that the recent salary increase introduced by the government was part of a phased approach to improve welfare across the health sector.

 

“The accusation of being selective and biased is unfounded and misrepresents the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve conditions across the board,” she added.

 

The commissioner described the strike move as unfortunate, insisting that the timing was wrong.

 

“It is disheartening that the union has chosen to embark on strike at a time when our collective focus should be on containing the cholera outbreak, which has affected several communities. The health and safety of Zamfara citizens are our top priority,” she said.

 

Maradun noted that the state government had distributed medical consumables and drugs to affected local government areas, while also providing water, sanitation, and hygiene services. She added that free drugs were being supplied at the Infectious Disease Hospital, which has been fully staffed with qualified doctors.

 

She reaffirmed the government’s readiness for dialogue with MHWUN and other unions to resolve all outstanding matters amicably.