JOHESU Demands Equal Treatment For Health Workers, Threatens Strike

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has called on the Federal Government to ensure equal treatment for all healthcare workers, demanding the immediate implementation of long-overdue agreements, including salary adjustments and improved working conditions.

In a communiqué issued at the end of ts leadership meeting held in Abuja, JOHESU expressed frustration over the government’s delay in fulfilling key agreements outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 29, 2024.

Among the union’s major demands is the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to align with the repeated increments in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors.

JOHESU decried the lack of parity in salary adjustments, noting that while CONMESS was revised multiple times between 2017 and 2023, no effort was made to review CONHESS since 2014.

JOHESU also urged the government to enforce the appointment of Consultant Pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), a directive that has been ignored by many Chief Medical Directors. The union insisted that sanctions should be imposed on institutions failing to comply.

The communiqué further demanded the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to extend the retirement age of all health workers to 65 years and 70 years for consultants, rejecting attempts to limit the new retirement age to only specific groups of health workers, insisting on uniform application across the sector.

The Union’s key demands include Payment of seven months’ arrears from the 2023 CONHESS salary review and Immediate suspension of the proposed National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA), which JOHESU argues could create industrial disharmony.

Others include withdrawal of the “unlawful” Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), which JOHESU says contradicts the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022. Payment of call duty allowances for health professionals on call and regular consultation with JOHESU on healthcare policies affecting workers’ welfare.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, alongside top ministry officials. JOHESU acknowledged his visit as a sign of commitment but insisted that urgent action is needed to prevent industrial unrest.

JOHESU warned that if the government fails to address these grievances promptly, it could lead to further disruptions in the health sector. It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its demands through dialogue but did not rule out the possibility of industrial action if necessary