Meta Description: NLC President Joe Ajaero accuses the government of deliberate neglect of the health sector, poor welfare for workers, and a preference for foreign treatment, pushing medicare to the brink of collapse.
Tags: NLC, Joe Ajaero, Health Sector, Brain Drain, Japa, Medical Workers, MHWUN, Healthcare Crisis, Nigeria
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has launched a scathing criticism against the government, accusing it of deliberately neglecting the public health sector and frustrating medical workers.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the accusation in Abuja during the 51st National Executive Council meeting of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).
He stated that the government’s attitude reflects a preference for seeking medical care abroad over building a functional domestic health system for all Nigerians.
“Our health sector continues to bleed. It is not an accident; it is a direct result of a system that prioritises profit over people,” Ajaero said.
He lamented that health workers are “overworked, underpaid, and disrespected,” facing empty promises and a blatant disregard for their welfare. He sharply criticized officials, stating, “Maybe, out of guilt, they prefer to die abroad!”
Ajaero described the situation as a “calculated assault” designed to break the will of health workers and push for the privatization of the public health system.
He called for a united front among all health sector unions to demand living wages, safe working conditions, and adequate funding for public health institutions. He warned that if these fundamental reforms are not met, the brain drain phenomenon, popularly known as ‘Japa,’ would continue.
The NLC President urged the union to move beyond talks and form concrete action plans, emphasizing that their fight is crucial to healing the nation.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on a speech given by NLC President Joe Ajaero and reported by Vanguard News. The views and opinions expressed are those of the NLC President and do not necessarily reflect the official position of CDA News.
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