‎Health workers’ strike grounds public hospitals across Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria — An industrial action by major health worker unions has entered its third month, crippling services in government-owned hospitals nationwide and leaving patients stranded as essential medical care collapses, Punch has reported.
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‎The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) — an umbrella body representing allied health professionals, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other non-medical staff — have maintained a nationwide strike that has significantly disrupted operations in public health facilities, especially in pharmacy, laboratory, and support departments.
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‎Officials say the walk-out has severely reduced the ability of federal hospitals to provide routine and emergency services, forcing patients to turn to private facilities or travel long distances for care.
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‎At several facilities, including teaching hospitals and federal medical centres, pharmacies and diagnostic services have been closed for weeks, leaving patients with chronic illnesses and urgent medical needs in limbo.
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‎While federal health institutions bear the brunt of the shutdown, some state-owned hospitals in Ekiti and Benue states have continued to operate normally, with local staff stepping in to provide limited services.
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‎Union Blames Government for Prolonged Dispute
‎JOHESU leaders have accused the federal government of failing to address long-standing grievances, including calls for an upward review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and improved welfare conditions for members.
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‎In a recent interview, the union said repeated attempts to engage government officials in meaningful dialogue have yielded no positive progress, forcing the continuation of the industrial action.
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‎Wider Impact on Health Sector
‎The ongoing strike has compounded existing challenges in Nigeria’s health sector, where personnel shortages, delayed promotions and inadequate working conditions have been persistent issues.
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‎Healthcare advocates warn that prolonged disruption could have long-term consequences on public health delivery, particularly for vulnerable populations who rely on government facilities.
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‎President of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, among JOHESU’s affiliates, stressed that all categories of health workers are essential to the delivery of patient care and called on authorities to urgently resolve the dispute.