HMB: Posting of CHEWs To General Hospitals Stand, As Community Health Practitioners Condemn Intimidation Against Members
The Ondo State Hospitals Management Board (HMB), through its acting chairman Dr. Akeredolu Oluwafemi has stated that, the posting of the Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) to General Hospitals in the state stands, saying no body can dictate to government on who to employ or not.
Following the rejection of the CHEW by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Acting Chairman asserted that the nurses have no authority over government recruitment decisions and are not in the position of giving orders or directives to government.
While playing host to the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), in his office, he said the posting of the newly employed CHEWs remain valid and should be respected accordingly.
He asked the newly employed CHEWs to report and resume their respective duty posts as indicated in their posting letters.
According to him: ” Any CHEW who experiences harassment, intimidation, obstruction, or any form of interference in the course of carrying out their lawful duties should formally report the matter in writing to the HMB for appropriate action”.
” All newly employed CHEWs are encouraged to remain professional, respectful, and committed to their duties while adhering to the rules and regulations of their respective facilities”.
He added that, they should avoid unnecessary confrontations and ensure that any disagreement or challenge is channelled through the appropriate administrative process.
The HMB reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the newly employed CHEWs are allowed to perform their lawful responsibilities at their designated duty posts.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN) Ondo State Chapter, has strongly condemned perceived intimidation aimed at its members following their recruitment and deployment by the state government to Secondary Public Health Facilities.
The State Chairman, Comrade Josiah Folorunsho Ogunleye said ACHPN stood firmly behind its practitioners saying they refused to succumb to intimidation by their Sister Health Union.
According to the Chairman, “the government’s recruitment aligns with advancing universal healthcare coverage and that their members are fully qualified, licensed, and compensated under established civil service frameworks, including automatic career advancements.
He further stressed the need for cooperation among Health workers, saying professional hostility is of no good to advancement of quality health in the state.
” Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) play a critical role in stabilizing patients and managing maternal and primary health across the state. Discrimination in posting and rejection by the Nurses are uncall for “.
In the same vein, the State Secretary of the Association, Mrs Adebayo HB said allegation of CHEWs taking up Nurses Job is not true, saying job descriptions are different.
Her words: ” In General Hospitals, we have Immunization section, OPD where Community Health Extension Workers can work. Coming up with the narrative that CHEWs are taking up their job is unnecessary lamentation”.
She enjoined CHEWs to be professional while discharging their duties, saying the leadership of the association would continue to protect their interest at all time.
