Discussions between national leadership of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and management of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to resolve the on-going industrial action by the health workers has hit the rocks.
The parties could not reach an agreement based on divergent views which has worsened the situation, as the strike could only be suspended by the national leadership of the unions following the breakdown in the negotiation.
Following the deadlock, the congress gathered once again for a briefing on the outcome, which has taken the power of negotiation away from the local chapter, as only the national leadership can call off or suspend the on-going industrial action.
The management of Jos University Teaching Hospital insists that issues remaining unresolved are national issues that need the attention of the Federal Ministry of Health, which the hospital management does not have powers to negotiate.
The Plateau State government through the state Ministry of Health has been mediating to see the end of the dispute with the interference of Governor Simon Lalong which has not yielded positive result.
Meanwhile, as the industrial dispute continues, patients are the most affected.
The Joint Health Sector Unions comprises of Non-Academic Staff Union, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, Medical and Health Workers Union as well as National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
