Health workers begin indefinite strike

Healthcare workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have declared a nationwide indefinite strike, beginning from Thursday, 25th May, 2023.

The aggrieved workers embarked on the strike over the failure of the federal government to meet its demands.

“Consequent upon the nonchalant, bias and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Ministry of Health against JOHESU members and the resolution of the expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the unions held on Monday 8th, May 2023, our members in federal health institutions nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw their services indefinitely commencing from 00.00 hour on Thursday 25th May 2023”,Ogbonna Chimela, vice chairman of JOHESU said Thursday while declaring the strike.

JOHESU/AHPA is a conglomerate of four registered trade Unions which include Medical and Health workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institution(NASU).

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The issues in dispute include the adjustment of consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS), payment of peculiar allowances to health workers under the aegis of JOHESU/AHPA, immediate and unconditional implementation of the Consultant Cadre Circular for pharmacists in all federal health Institutions.

Others are, the payment of all withheld salaries of our members in Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and outstanding April and May, 2018 salaries of members in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, payment of health workers exclude in the payment of new allowances.

The health workers,therefore, demanded the immediate approval and implementation of the technical committee report on non CONHESS adjustment by the federal government and immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the institutions.

They also demanded the recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in the payment of new hazard allowance and immediate and unconditional implementation of the pharmacist Consultant Cadre.