Nurses and healthcare workers in Lagos have started a three-day strike to protest the Lagos State Government’s failure to implement a promised salary adjustment under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The union remarked, “The government’s approach of selectively implementing the adjustment for doctors under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure while disregarding other health professionals is intolerable.”
The strike, which started on Wednesday and will last through Friday, includes various unions within the health sector.
In a letter dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the Secretary of NANNM, Oloruntoba Odumosu, the union announced, “The three-day warning strike is set to begin on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, and will continue until Friday, December 13, 2024, in collaboration with other affected sister unions in the health sector.”
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has voiced strong disapproval over the delay in addressing their salary issues. The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has also raised concerns, particularly about the government’s failure to fully implement the 25% CONHESS salary increase.
The letter states, “This notice serves as a clarion call for mobilisation and preparedness. Let us be resolute in this struggle for a fruitful outcome.”
Similarly, both JOHESU and MHWUN have voiced their concerns regarding the government’s actions. JOHESU remarked, “Despite the essential roles we fulfill in providing quality healthcare in Lagos State, the government seems unresponsive to our legitimate requests. This divisive strategy erodes the collective morale of health professionals.”
In response to the ongoing issues, the unions are scheduled to meet on Monday, December 9th, 2024, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. During this meeting, they plan to discuss further actions and strategies to continue their fight for the salary adjustments they believe are owed to them.
The strike highlights long-standing concerns among healthcare workers in Lagos, who are seeking fair pay and better treatment from the government. These workers are united in their call for the proper adjustment and implementation of CONHESS, which they say is essential for improving working conditions and addressing salary disparities.
