Lagos health workers begin strike over salary adjustments

The coalition of health sector unions in Lagos State has embarked on a three-day warning strike over the non-implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The unions include the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Members of the unions include nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, medical laboratory scientists, optometrists, radiographers, dental therapists, medical physicists, health information managers, clinical psychologists, and medical social workers.

Secretary of NANNM, Oloruntoba Odumosu, said leaders of the unions held a meeting on December 9, which ended in a deadlock.

He said the strike followed the expiration of an ultimatum issued by the unions.

“The government officials could not give us a clear timeline for the implementation of our demands and there’s no governor’s approval for the payment,” he said.

He said the matter had lingered for long, despite numerous attempts by the unions to resolve it amicably.

Odumosu added that the government appears “indifferent” to addressing the legitimate demands despite the critical roles healthcare workers play.

Meanwhile, when The Guardian visited Oshodi Primary Healthcare Centre, it was under lock and key as the patients were stranded.

Also, one of the nurses at the Centre, who pleaded anonymity, said that the unions decided to go on strike after a meeting with the state government officials on December 9 ended in a stalemate.

However, Public Affairs Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo, in a phone call said he was not aware of the strike, adding that he would get back after enquiring.

But at the time of filing this report, he has not responded to calls put across to him.