The Allied Healthcare Professionals Association (AHPA) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have warned the Federal Government, threatening that they will go on an indefinite strike if key demands outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 29, 2024, are not addressed. The unions, representing a major part of the country’s healthcare workforce, expressed frustration over delays in implementing agreements for the sector’s stability. In a statement issued over the weekend, signed by the union Chairman Ado Kabiru and Secretary Martins Egbanubi, the unions emphasised that failing to act on longstanding issues could result in severe disruptions to healthcare services nationwide.
Their grievances include unresolved salary adjustments, incomplete implementation of agreed policies, and the neglect of other critical Welfare concerns. Among the unions’ pressing concerns is the prolonged delay in adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which has remained unresolved for over a decade. The unions accused the government of neglecting this critical issue despite previous promises to address it. They called on the Minister of Labour and Employment to introduce new mechanisms to ensure a quick resolution, stressing that industrial harmony in the sector depends on fulfilling this demand.
Retirement age review and payment of outstanding salaries.
Furthermore, the unions acknowledged some progress, such as issuing circulars to establish the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre. However, they criticised federal medical institutions’ slow pace of compliance, with only 15% reportedly adhering to the directive. JOHESU urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to enforce strict compliance, calling for sanctions against defaulting Chief Medical Directors if full implementation is not achieved by March 31, 2025. JOHESU also reiterated its call to review the Retirement age for medical workers, proposing an increase to 65 years for general workers and 70 years for consultants.
This, they argued, would address the sector’s workforce shortages and improve service delivery. The unions further commended the payment of nine months’ outstanding Salaries to members but urged the government to settle arrears owed to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council of Nigeria. Another critical demand is the settlement of arrears related to the CONHESS review, which were provided for in the 2024 budget. JOHESU has set a firm deadline of December 31, 2024, to disburse these funds. Additionally, the unions are pushing to activate unpaid COVID-19 hazard allowances for affected health workers.
Governance and operational reforms in medical institutions.
Meanwhile, the unions emphasised the need for governance reforms within the medical care sector, urging the Federal Government to reconstitute the Boards of Management for the 73 Federal Health Institutions. They also called for the inauguration of governing councils for professional regulatory agencies, emphasising that these measures are essential for accountability and improved management. They further demanded a review of the Standard Operating Procedures for the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) to ensure alignment with existing laws. The unions stressed that this process must involve relevant professional bodies and Trade unions to create a lawful and effective framework for the fund’s operation.
Therefore, the unions’ renewed strike threat comes after a seven-day warning strike in October 2024, suspended following the signing of the MoU. At the time, JOHESU gave the Federal Government a six-week deadline to fulfill its obligations. However, with many unmet demands, the unions have signaled their readiness to escalate industrial action if their concerns are not addressed by the next conciliation meeting scheduled for February 2025. This potential strike could have consequences for the sector, which has already struggled with challenges such as inadequate funding, workforce shortages, and structural decay.
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Well, the strike is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of industrial actions in the medical sector. JOHESU and its affiliates have frequently resorted to strikes to press for fulfilling agreements and unmet demands. In 2020, the unions noted systemic issues, including infrastructural decay, delayed payments of hazard allowances, and poor working conditions, as underlying causes of industrial unrest. The persistent tensions underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to resolving disputes and improving the sector’s overall functionality.