COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2ND BIENNIAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE OF THE WEST AFRICAN HEALTH SECTOR UNIONS NETWORK (WAHSUN) HELD ON APRIL 18-20, 2016 AT THE BENIN ROYAL HOTEL, COTONU, REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN
Introduction
The 2nd
Biennial Conference of the West African Health Sector Unions’ Network (WAHSUN)
was held on April 18-20, 2016 at the Benin Royal Hotel, Cotonu, Republique du
Benin. Delegates from health sector unions in: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote
d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo participated
actively in the Conference-in-session.
After extensive
deliberation on issues of critical concern to the health of the people in West
Africa, the health system and the conditions of the health workforce in the
sub-region, the Conference-in-session resolved thus:
Resolutions:
Conference-in-session observed the severe challenges that have been
faced with the outbreak of such communicable diseases as: Ebola Virus Disease;
Meningitis; Cholera &; Lassa Fever, in several countries within the region
over the past two years. The spread of these diseases, it noted is attributed
to weak health systems and the prevalence of dire socio-economic conditions of
the majority of the populations. It equally appreciated the role of WAHSUN
member-unions in playing a central role in the national responses, which have
resulted in the curtailing of such outbreaks, despite the huge logistical
constraints they faced.
WAHSUN thus calls on the governments of ECOWAS member-states to
prioritize health, by deploying adequate resources required for crisis
preparedness. The need for national ministries of health to deepen
collaboration with WAHSUN member unions for more robust response cannot be over
emphasized;
Conference-in-session bemoaned the abandonment of Ebola survivors
and their family members, by the governments of countries that have been badly
hit by the scourge particularly in Sierra Leone and Liberia, as it undermines
the extent of co-operation that could be expected from communities in the
possible situation of any subsequent outbreak of communicable diseases.
WAHSUN thus calls on the Liberian and Sierra Leonean governments to
ensure social care and protection for the affected persons. Member states of ECOWAS
and the international community are enjoined to render the necessary assistance
the Sierra Leonean and Liberian governments require;
Health Insurance Schemes for Health Workers
Conference-in-session considered the fact that health workers have repeatedly
put their lives on the line in the course of caring for individuals affected by
diseases such as Lassa fever and particularly EVD. Even with the best form of
personal protective equipment, the lives of hundreds of health workers have been
lost in the line of duty, with their families left to fend for themselves.
In the face of these developments, WAHSUN calls for the
establishment of health insurance schemes for health workers in all the ECOWAS
member-states. Further, ECOWAS member states are called upon to respect
International Labour Standards on Occupational Health and Safety, and as well
guarantee the security of health workers;
Conference-in-session was alarmed by the worsening state of low
employment in the face of unemployed health professionals, vis a vis growth in
populations. The embargo on recruitment of health workers, despite this
debilitating reality, was particularly considered worrisome, as was the
stagnation of the career progression of the subsisting workforce, resulting in
the dampening of morale, in most of the countries.
WAHSUN thus demand that the member states of ECOWAS embark on mass
recruitment at all levels of healthcare delivery, and the promotion of health
workers as and when due, for the health workforce constitute the bulwark for
safeguarding the health of society as a whole, as we have recently seen
Reinstate Liberian Workers’ Leaders
Conference-in-session expressed its angst at the refusal of the Liberian government to reinstate comrades George Poe Williams and Joseph Tamba being the President and General Secretary of the National Health Workers’ Association of Liberia, for exercising their legitimate rights of organizing a trade union. WAHSUN fully supports NAHWAL’s filing of a complaint against the Liberian government to the ILO, using its supervisory mechanism.
Conference-in-session thus calls on the international trade union
movement and well-meaning governments across the world to support the struggle for
trade union rights and the reinstatement of comrades George Poe Williams and
Joseph Tamba in Liberia as well as due recognition of the rights of NAHWAL to
organize by the Liberian government, at the forthcoming International Labour
Conference;Conference-in-session expressed its angst at the refusal of the Liberian government to reinstate comrades George Poe Williams and Joseph Tamba being the President and General Secretary of the National Health Workers’ Association of Liberia, for exercising their legitimate rights of organizing a trade union. WAHSUN fully supports NAHWAL’s filing of a complaint against the Liberian government to the ILO, using its supervisory mechanism.
Against Privatization: Health is a Fundamental Human Right
Conference-in-session reflected on the spate of privatization drives
in the health sector across the sub-region taking different guises such as
outsourcing/contract staffing and “Public Private Partnerships”. Considering
the universal recognition of health as a fundamental human right, WAHSUN
reiterates its position that privatization of healthcare delivery is
antithetical to the goal of Universal Health Coverage and attainment of the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Conference-in-session thus condemns the rabid thrust of
privatization, including of teaching hospitals as well as primary health care
centres in countries such as Nigeria and Togo. WAHSUN further calls on the
trade union movement in the sub-region to take a cue from the successful mass
mobilization of workers’ resistance to privatization mounted by the Nigeria
Labour Congress against the Imo state government, in the South East of Nigeria;
Conference-in-session averred that corruption in general is a major
cankerworm that has contributed significantly to the underdevelopment of
Africa. In the health sector, the cost of corruption is the loss of lives and
should thus be given zero-tolerance. WAHSUN thus expresses surprise that,
despite the avowed commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to its
anti-corruption crusade, allegations of corruption and highhandedness at the
Federal Medical Centre, Owerri which have provoked workers restiveness are yet
to be thoroughly addressed.
WAHSUN thus called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to expedite
necessary action including thorough investigation and prosecution, rather than
the lukewarm posture being demonstrated on the matter by the country’s Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC);
Training of the Health Workforce
Conference-in-session was of the view that the training and
re-training of the health workforce is of critical importance in the light of
the resurgence of old health challenges and the emergence of new ones.
WAHSUN thus supports the ongoing harmonization of certification for
various cadres of health professionals as it would further the enhancement of
the potentials of health workers in training. WAHSUN further calls for regular
on-the-job training for building the capacity of serving health workers;
Organizing Young Workers
Conference-in-session was very proud of the leaps and bounds made by
member unions in organizing, mentoring and integrating young workers in the
decision-making structures and processes of our unions, as the youth represent
the future of our movement and indeed a better society for humanity. WAHSUN
thus resolved to deepen collaboration and exchanges between young members of
its member-unions with programmes and activities for youths, as well as
affirmative action for the inclusion of an expanding number of young members in
general activities of the Network;
Conference-in-session affirmed the importance of the material
sustenance of trade unions for the defence of workers’ rights as well as for
the necessary social dialogue, which alone can promote industrial harmony,
peace and social justice in the workplace.
WAHSUN thus finds it incomprehensible that the government in Cote
d’Ivoire has thus far refused to implement the check-off dues system for trade
unions ease of access to membership subscriptions as is the norm in today’s
world and which used to be the case in the country, before this was unjustly
rescinded in 2011. This, the Conference-in-session noted, is a counter-productive
attack against the trade unions.
WAHSUN thus calls on the Ivorien government to address the issue by re-instituting
the automatic check-off system. Further, WAHSUN calls for the implementation of
subsisting laws for automatic check-off dues in Togo, which have thus far been
thwarted;
Conference-in-session recalled WAHSUN’s established grievance on the
non-release of an updated scheme of service for nurses and midwives in Nigeria,
providing for due internship for students of the nursing & midwifery
profession. This is despite subsisting court rulings directing that this be
done and earlier resolutions of WAHSUN calling on the Federal Government of
Nigeria to respect the rule of law.
WAHSUN once again calls on the Nigerian state to redress this
injustice in the interest of continued peaceful relations in the country’s
health sector;
Growth of WAHSUN and a New
Phase
Conference-in-session noted the growth and development of WAHSUN
over the past few years with pride. The Network has thus far expanded to
include the most active health sector unions in two thirds of the ECOWAS member
states, and across language barriers. Conference-in-session equally observed
the rising profile of joint work and influence with the aim of better defending
health workers as well as advancing the cause of Universal Public Health
Coverage.
In this context, WAHSUN adopted a new constitution and a Strategic
Action Plan reflecting its current state of development after nine years of the
existence of the Network, towards taking it to greater heights. The
Conference-in-session further resolved to mark the 10th year
anniversary of the establishment of WAHSUN in 2017 at Nigeria;
The Conference-in-session elected the following as the WAHSUN
leadership for the next two-year period:
i.
Chairperson: Comrade (Rev) Richard K. Yeboah (Ghana)
ii.
Secretary/Coordinator: Comrade B. O. A. Ayelabola (Nigeria)
iii.
Vice-Chairperson: Comrade Abdulrauf
Adeniji (Nigeria)
iv.
Vice Chairperson: Comrade Garlo
Isaac Williams (Liberia)
v.
Vice Chairperson: Comrade
Boubacar Bobaoua (Niger)
vi.
Vice Chairperson: Comrade Abdul
M. Kamara (Sierra Leone)
vii.
Vice Chairperson: Comrade Kwaku
Asante-Krobea (Ghana)
viii.
Vice Chairperson: Comrade Mariam Tiemtore (Burkina Faso)
ix.
Women Leader: Comrade
Antoinette W. N’Guessan (Cote d’Ivoire)
x.
Youth Leader: Comrade David Tenkorang-Twum (Ghana)
Conclusion
Delegates to the
2nd Biennial WAHSUN Conference expressed satisfaction and
appreciation of the warm hospitality received from our brothers and sisters in
the Republic of Benin. The Conference ended with renewed commitment to the
tenets of the Network, in the public interest and for the full implementation
of its resolutions by the WAHSUN leadership and all member-unions.
Comrade (Rev.) Richard K. Yeboah
Comrade B.O.A. Ayelabola
Chairperson
Secretary/Coordinator
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