Health Workers’ Strike Halts Hospital Services

The ongoing industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has entered its third month, severely disrupting services in government-owned hospitals nationwide. Patients have been left stranded, with many forced to seek care in private facilities.

Critical departments such as hospital pharmacies, laboratories, and support services have been largely inactive, significantly affecting healthcare delivery. While federal health institutions have been most affected, state-owned hospitals in Ekiti and Benue have largely remained operational, easing the pressure on patients.

In some state facilities, including the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, resident doctors, nurses, and midwives have also embarked on separate strikes over unpaid salaries, pension disputes, and poor infrastructure. At the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, doctors and nurses continued to work, but other health staff stayed away.

Ayodeji Ogunrinu, former JOHESU chairman at FETHI and current Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Ekiti State Council, described the strike as unfortunate, noting that it deprives both patients and hospital staff of essential medical services. He emphasized that all hospital personnel, from cleaners to health assistants, play vital roles in service delivery. Ogunrinu lamented that FETHI now resembled a “ghost town,” with no water, electricity, drugs, or functional laboratories.

Ogunrinu urged the Federal Government to implement the 2018 circular from the Ministry of Labour regarding adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) for JOHESU members, which forms the basis of the ongoing strike.

In contrast, JOHESU members at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, have continued working as a mark of respect for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Adewale Adeosun, acting JOHESU chairman at the facility, said patient turnout had increased as federal hospitals remained largely inactive.

Oluwafemi Ajoloko, JOHESU State Chairman, expressed hope that the federal government would approve the requested CONHESS adjustment within one to two weeks. He noted that while federal health workers remain on strike, staff at state hospitals and primary healthcare centres have maintained services, but with increased workload.

At Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, services have been scaled down, affecting medical training and postponing surgeries. JOHESU chairman Abdullateef Adeyeni reported that the facility had lost up to N1.5 billion in internally generated revenue over three months due to the strike, criticizing perceived inaction by the Coordinating Minister of Health.

Similarly, hospitals in Ondo State, including the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, have seen reduced patient turnout. Offices of JOHESU staff, pharmacies, and laboratories remain closed, pushing patients toward private facilities.

Dr. Olumuyiwa Alonge, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state, confirmed that the strike has hindered smooth hospital operations, as roles like laboratory work and pharmacy services are essential for full functionality.

At Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, pharmacies and laboratories are largely non-functional, forcing patients to purchase medicines from private pharmacies. Dr. Gbolahan Adenuga, chairman of the resident doctors’ association, said the workload has shifted to local staff and interns, creating delays.

While JOHESU members in Benue State are not on strike, service has been partially affected due to ongoing industrial actions by resident doctors, nurses, and midwives at the State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. Issues include salary arrears, pension disputes, manpower shortages, delayed promotions, and poor infrastructure.

Commissioner for Health in Benue, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed that the government has been addressing key concerns and anticipates that affected unions will resume work soon. He said an agreement is close to being signed, which will restore full healthcare services.

The prolonged strike highlights the urgent need for government intervention to resolve payment, pension, and infrastructural issues to restore normalcy in public hospitals.