Health workers in Lagos have launched a three-day warning strike starting December 11, 2024, in response to the state’s failure to implement promised adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). The strike, which will run until December 13, is being led by a coalition of health sector unions.

The unions participating in the strike include the National Association of Nigeria 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).

According to Oloruntoba Odumosu, Secretary of NANNM, the unions had given the state government an ultimatum, but after meeting with officials on December 9, the unions were unsatisfied with the lack of a clear plan or timeline for implementing the necessary salary adjustments. Despite attempts to resolve the matter peacefully, the unions reported that government officials had no concrete answers, including a clear computation method for the adjustments.

This situation has become particularly frustrating for health workers because while doctors in Lagos received their salary adjustments starting in October 2024, other health professionals have not seen similar benefits. Odumosu criticized the government’s actions as divisive, emphasizing that it undermines the morale of the health workforce and creates inequality.

The unions are calling for the full implementation of the CONHESS adjustment for all eligible health workers in Lagos State. They argue that these workers, who play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to the state’s residents, deserve fair treatment and respect for their contributions.

This strike highlights the ongoing struggle for equitable salary adjustments for health professionals, with the unions determined to continue their fight for justice.