Health Workers' Strike Disrupts Patient Care, Forcing Shift to Private Facilities

Over two months into the nationwide industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), patients across Nigeria are experiencing severe consequences. Many are being compelled to leave public hospitals, postpone necessary medical procedures, and turn to costly private healthcare alternatives.

The strike, which has now lasted 84 days, has virtually halted services in government-run hospitals nationwide. This has left individuals in urgent need of medical attention stranded, pushing many to seek essential healthcare outside these public institutions.

JOHESU, representing a range of healthcare professionals including those in pharmacy, laboratories, and support services, remains firm in its stance. The union insists that the strike will only end once the Federal Government implements the Technical Committee's report on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), a report that has been pending since 2021.

Adding to the pressure, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a 14-day ultimatum in solidarity with the striking health workers. This ultimatum, set to expire on Friday, February 6, 2026, warns of broader industrial action if the government does not address the situation, which labour leaders have described as the "maltreatment" of health workers.

JOHESU Maintains Its Demand for CONHESS Adjustment

Kabiru Minjibir, the National President of JOHESU, reiterated on Wednesday evening that the nationwide strike would persist until the Federal Government addresses the CONHESS salary structure adjustment. "Our demand is singular and clear: the adjustment of the CONHESS salary structure," Minjibir stated.

He elaborated that Nigeria's health sector operates with two primary salary structures: CONMESS for medical doctors and CONHESS for other professionals such as medical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, environmental health officers, and community health workers. According to Minjibir, a 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) stipulated that any review of one salary structure should automatically trigger an adjustment in the other to maintain relativity.

"The agreement contained a clear clause that if one salary structure is reviewed upward, the other should also be reviewed to maintain relativity," he explained.

However, Minjibir pointed out that while CONMESS has undergone reviews in 2014, 2017, and 2018, CONHESS has remained unchanged for approximately 12 years. "Since the first review in 2014, other health workers under JOHESU have consistently agitated for a corresponding adjustment of CONHESS, but unfortunately, it has not been reviewed to date," he added.

He further noted that several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed with the government over the years have failed to bring about the desired resolution. "There have been about eight MOUs, none of which have been implemented," Minjibir disclosed.

Minjibir also revealed that JOHESU had rejected a recent proposal from the Federal Ministry of Health to adjust allowances instead of base salaries, emphasizing that the CONHESS adjustment must take precedence. "Proceeding with allowance reviews while CONHESS remains unadjusted will further disadvantage our members and push them several steps backward," he argued.

He asserted that despite the government's 'no work, no pay' policy and the introduction of attendance registers, health workers remain committed to the strike. "Our members have mandated us to continue the strike until our demands are met," Minjibir concluded.

Situation Across States

In Abuja, a nurse at the Kubwa General Hospital described the prolonged strike as making their work monotonous and difficult. They highlighted that effective hospital services rely on teamwork, which is currently compromised.

The nurse explained that patients are now forced to seek services like tests, scans, drugs, and X-rays outside the hospital after receiving prescriptions. This often requires them to visit multiple locations, as not all services are available in one place.

"In most cases, you can hardly get all these services in one place, even outside. This has really made our work difficult," the nurse stated.

Furthermore, the hospital has seen a significant drop in patient numbers, as many residents mistakenly believe that all hospital staff, including nurses and doctors, are part of the strike. "Some people still think the strike involves everyone in the hospital, but in reality, nurses and doctors are not participating," the nurse clarified.

Observations at the Kubwa General Hospital revealed an empty emergency unit and a locked male ward. Patients from these areas have reportedly been merged with other wards, indicating the hospital is operating with minimal staff due to the strike.

Benue

Patients in Benue State have voiced their distress over the continued strike, which is preventing them from accessing medical care at government hospitals. The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), usually bustling, has seen a sharp decline in patient attendance.

Cletus Terkimbi, a patient awaiting surgery since December, expressed profound disappointment. "To say I am disappointed is an understatement. I was scheduled for surgery in December, but I have been unable to access any medical attention because of the strike. This is a very sad situation, especially for the less privileged," he said.

Memuna Audi, another patient, was turned away when seeking X-ray services. "The situation is worrisome. I hope the strike will be called off soon because I cannot afford private medical services elsewhere. Right now, I am stranded," she lamented.

Hospital staff, who requested anonymity, confirmed that operations have largely ceased. "The hospital has not been admitting patients for a while now. Only consultants are working, and they are even threatening to embark on a strike as well," one staff member said.

Kano

While the strike by JOHESU unions has not completely halted services in Kano's public hospitals, it is significantly impacting patients who are now incurring higher costs for basic medical needs.

At the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), doctors are attending to patients, but services are limited to the emergency unit, card administration, cash office, and pharmacy. The main entrance to the Muhammadu Sanusi Diagnostic Centre was closed, with only emergency requests being handled at the digital radiography unit.

A patient at the Accident and Emergency unit expressed frustration with the prolonged industrial action. "Only in Nigeria can an industrial action by medical personnel last for almost three months without a solution. We are lucky the emergency unit is still operating; otherwise, where would one go in a medical emergency?" he questioned.

Mamman, a patient at the General Outpatient Department, was unable to obtain a hospital card. He was informed that the issuing officer had closed for the day, despite it being early morning. "I was told doctors were attending to patients, so I came. But the person issuing cards was not available. They said he had closed for the day, even though it was just after 10am. I was advised to come back tomorrow," he recounted.

Murtala Inusa stated that he had to take his sick mother to a private hospital due to the limited services. "Only the emergency unit is functioning, but my mother needed admission, so I took her to MGK Hospital close to AKTH. It is a sad commentary on our health system," he commented.

Bauchi

In Bauchi State, the JOHESU strike has forced patients and their families to rely on private medical laboratories, leading to concerns about exorbitant charges and the added burden of transporting patients.

Haruna Abdulmumin, a patient at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH) facing hypertension, ulcer, and kidney infection, reported spending over N120,000 on tests at a private laboratory in one day. He also incurred N10,000 for tricycle transport between various laboratories.

Abdulmumin lamented that the costs would have been significantly lower without the strike. "If there was no JOHESU strike, the cost of tests would not be up to that amount. I wouldn’t have been subjected to this kind of untold hardship, moving from one laboratory to another despite going through severe pain," he said.

Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar, whose brother is in critical condition at ATBU-TH, highlighted the pain involved in transporting his brother for tests. "My brother’s medical condition is critical, but the most annoying part is not even the money spent on tests; it is the movement from the hospital bed to private laboratories. He goes through a lot of pain during these movements," Abubakar stated.

Sadiya Adamu, whose child is admitted to the paediatric ward at ATBU-TH, described the ordeal of taking her child to private labs. "Apart from spending extra money on tests at private laboratories, the logistics are exhausting. My child is battling a leg ulcer, and I don’t have the strength to carry him from one place to another. This is only increasing our suffering," she said.

Private laboratories in Bauchi metropolis have witnessed a surge in patient and relative turnout.

Attempts to obtain an official statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare were unsuccessful.