Well being staff search govt dialogue as strike lingers

Well being staff in Lagos State on Tuesday known as on the federal government to reopen negotiations to finish a strike that has entered its third month, highlighting persistent fault strains over pay, skilled recognition and management inside Nigeria’s public well being system.

Members of the Joint Well being Sector Unions have been on strike since 2 December 2025, paralysing companies in public hospitals throughout the nation’s industrial hub. Union leaders say the stoppage displays years of unresolved grievances and failed talks with state authorities and illustrates deeper issues of fairness and morale in a well being workforce already strained by employees shortages and rising demand.

“The continuing strike is anchored on reputable and demanding calls for aimed toward strengthening the healthcare system and making certain equity for all professionals inside it,” the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of JOHESU, Adelaja Tajudeen, instructed a press convention in Lagos.

JOHESU is a coalition of three main unions in Lagos State: the Medical and Well being Staff Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Well being Professionals, and the Senior Employees Affiliation of Universities, Educating Hospitals, Analysis Institutes and Related Establishments.

The union represents a broad vary of healthcare professionals, together with medical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, medical social staff, well being data administration officers, well being attendants, procurement officers, engineers, administrative officers and different allied well being practitioners, excluding physicians and nurses.

The union is demanding correct recognition and remuneration for guide pharmacists, autonomy for medical laboratory departments, provision of employees buses to ease commuting challenges, fast implementation of recent name and shift obligation allowances, and the extension of retention allowances throughout all important cadres. Tajudeen warned that the selective fee of retention allowances is discriminatory and is eroding morale at a time when many healthcare staff are leaving the general public well being system.

“Whereas the Federal Authorities has demonstrated responsiveness by agreeing to pay the January 2026 salaries earlier withheld from staff, together with nurses, and has publicly assured that no victimisation will probably be meted out to hanging staff, the Lagos State authorities has but to exhibit an identical dedication to implementing the native calls for,” he stated.

The union additionally raised considerations over skilled fairness, noting that whereas Lagos State had beforehand indicated willingness to implement some reforms, progress had reportedly been obstructed by entrenched pursuits inside elements of the medical institution. JOHESU stated the healthcare system can’t operate optimally when some professionals are handled as second-class residents, stressing that fairness, mutual respect {and professional} recognition are important for an environment friendly well being sector.

Interesting to the federal government and the general public, the chairman of the Affiliation of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Lagos State department, Kabiawu Gbolahan, stated the strike was not undertaken calmly and acknowledged the hardship skilled by sufferers and residents on account of service disruptions.

He urged the state authorities to exhibit real dedication by means of concrete and time-bound actions, keep away from intimidation or victimisation of staff collaborating within the lawful strike, guarantee equity within the therapy of all healthcare professionals, and implement beforehand agreed resolutions with out additional delay.

JOHESU Lagos State reiterated its readiness to return to the negotiation desk as soon as significant and honest steps are taken to deal with the problems in dispute, noting that resolving the calls for is important not just for staff’ welfare but additionally for sustainable healthcare supply and reform within the state.