IMO HEALTH WORKERS LOCKED OUT – ASKED TO GO HOME. IMMUNIZATION OF CHILDREN THREATENED.

Health Workers affected by the Concession of some agencies of the Imo State government have appealed to the government not to disengage them from public service.

The call followed the inability of the workers at the State Specialist Hospital Umuguma in Owerri West local government area of the state, to gain access to the hospital as security operatives have taken over the entrance gate.

Radio Nigeria Reporter, Chinedu Ilechukwu reports that barely two weeks ago, the Imo state government announced suspension of activities in nineteen agencies found to be performing below expectation.

Staff of the affected agencies were also suspended while civil servants who were on secondment to those agencies were recalled to the ministries.

In an apparent move to ensure the smooth take-off of the concessioning policy, Health workers at the specialist hospital Umuguma have been restricted from gaining access to the facility by security agents.

Some of the staff who spoke with Radio Nigeria said the action of the government would pose severe hardship on them.

The State Chairman Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU Mr. Francis Nzenwata expressed fear that the forthcoming nationwide immunization of children may suffer set back in the state if the government does not rescind its decision.

The Commissioner for Health and Women Affairs Mrs Ngozi Njoku appealed to the affected workers to show understanding as measures were being taken to address the situation.

The State Commissioner for Information, Youths and sports, chief Chidi Ibe had in a news conference called on labour leaders to accept the concession policy as the action was for the best interest of the state.