Healthcare Workers Start Indefinite Strike Over Salary, Retirement Demands

Two healthcare unions in Nigeria began an indefinite strike Thursday, after the government failed to suitably alter the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) began the strike as the federal government adjusted the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for physicians.

JOHESU's national vice president, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, addressed the media on Thursday in Abuja, saying that all the members of Federal Health Institutions across the country were directed to "withdraw their services indefinitely commencing from 00:00 hour on Thursday, May 25, 2023," Punch reported.

Ogbonna went on to call out the Federal Ministry of Health's nonchalant, biased, and lackadaisical attitude and said, "Federal Government is yet to meet these demands, our members have been directed by the JOHESU National Executive Council to proceed on an indefinite strike action upon expiration of the ultimatum by midnight."

The health workers demanded the government should immediately make payment for the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard allowances of affected health workers. They also demand recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in payment of the hazard allowance.

Other demands included payment of withheld salaries of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and April and May 2018 salaries of members at NOFIC, Azare.

Moreover, the federal government was urged to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 years for healthcare professionals and 70 years for consultants in their field of work.

This was not the first time that healthcare workers have announced a strike. Last week, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors began a five-day strike in order to demand an increase in salaries and better conditions.

Dr. Moses Agwa--the president of the Association of Resident Doctors, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi--explained the doctors had faced several health hazards, especially during COVID-19 and Lassa fever, due to which many members died.

"We are exposed to the worst hazards ever, and at the end, you are paid N5,000 for all cadre, while it has been reviewed to 600% at the federal level," Dr. Moses explained, adding that low salaries and increased work were the reasons why many doctors are leaving the country.

The president of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Dr. Victor Makanjuola, had previously disclosed that Nigeria is able to retain only 30% of its doctors on an annual basis.

As many healthcare professionals continue to leave the country, the United Kingdom has announced employers in the island nation will not recruit Nigerian doctors or any healthcare professional unless there is a government-to-government agreement.

"Countries on the [red] list should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers, recruitment organizations, agencies, collaborations, or contracting bodies unless there is a government-to-government agreement in place to allow managed recruitment undertaken strictly in compliance with the terms of that agreement," as per the U.K.'s official website.