Health

UPDATED: Health workers begin indefinite strike

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2023

528 Views

The Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Association have directed their members to embark on an indefinite strike.

The National Vice President of JOHESU, Dr Obinna Ogbonna said this at a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.

The health workers are demanding the immediate approval and implementation of the Technical Committee report on CONHESS adjustment by FG; immediate payment of the omission and Shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the Federal Health Institutions and recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in the payment of new hazard allowance; payment and inculcation of peculiar allowances to health workers under the aegis of JOHESU/AHPA.

The other demands are the immediate and unconditional implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant cadre, unconditional payment of all withheld salaries of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and April and May 2018 salaries of members at NOFIC, Azare; and the speedy Implementation of the Increase in Retirement Age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for Consultants in the health professions.

The leadership of JOHESU had in a letter dated May 9, 2023, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over alleged inconsistencies of the government in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers on their platforms.

Dr Obinna said, “Consequent upon the nonchalant, biased and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Ministry of Health against JOHESU members and the resolution of the expanded National Executive Council meeting of the JOHESU held on Monday, May 8, 2023, our members in Federal Health Institutions nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw their services indefinitely commencing from 00:00 hour on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

“It becomes imperative to inform you that since the Federal Government is yet to meet these demands, our members have been directed by the JOHESU National Executive Council to proceed on an indefinite strike action upon expiration of the ultimatum by midnight of May 25, 2023.”

He, however, said, the union is committed to working with the government and stakeholders to improve the health system with necessary reforms in public interest.

When the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire was contacted, he requested a text message to be sent to him on the matter.

He had yet to respond to the text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

Related Topics:AHCPA Health Workers JOHESU

Up Next

JUST IN: Malami Faces Interrogations Over $2.4bn Illegal Oil Sale

Don't Miss

Alleged Maltreatment: Lagos State Police Command Accused by Young Officer For Attempting to Resign

Click to comment

Health

National Data Repository Index Numbers of patients currently on treatment for HIV in Nigeria as at May 13, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

Charles Flames

42 Views

Benue: 195,305

⁠Akwa Ibom: 158,201
⁠Lagos: 135,918
⁠Rivers: 90,055
⁠Nasarawa: 65,996
⁠FCT: 62,627
⁠Kaduna: 58,576
⁠Cross River: 57,765
⁠Enugu: 55,478
⁠Delta: 52,475
⁠Taraba: 51,840
⁠Abia: 50,038
⁠Imo: 47,863
⁠Plateau: 46,618
⁠Anambra: 46,602
⁠Adamawa: 42,074
⁠Kano: 41,093
⁠Kogi: 37,301
⁠Oyo: 33,133
⁠Niger: 33,057
⁠Ogun: 31,822
⁠Bauchi: 29,745
⁠Edo: 29,256
⁠Gombe: 28,037
⁠Osun: 25,018
⁠Borno: 24,527
⁠Ondo: 22,455
⁠Kebbi: 20,803
⁠Bayelsa: 19,549
⁠Katsina: 18,682
⁠Ebonyi: 15,474
⁠Kwara: 14,997
⁠Jigawa: 14,302
⁠Zamfara: 13,813
⁠Ekiti: 12,356
⁠Yobe: 10,716
⁠Sokoto: 10,511 Total: 1.70m

Health

FG to Launch Mega Agro-Industrial Livestock HUB in Abuja

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2026

Charles Flames

61 Views

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Business Hub and Mega Livestock Processing Facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a high-level strategic meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in Abuja.

The Minister stated that the Ministry would work closely with ABIS Group, LPRES and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the project. He explained that the engagement followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to the Minister, the training, organised under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development Platform, provided valuable insights into strengthening livestock value chains, improving market systems and promoting quality assurance mechanisms across Africa.

Leader of the ABIS delegation, Ambassador Emmanuel Usman, commended the Ministry for facilitating the group’s participation in the training programme, which brought together delegates from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Also speaking, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, appreciated the Minister for supporting collaboration and inclusiveness in the livestock sector.

The General Manager of ABIS Group, Mr. Kujo Reigans, highlighted key lessons from the training, including the need for a unified quality assurance system, structured outgrower schemes and improved access to funding opportunities through the Development Bank of Nigeria.

He stated that these measures would enhance efficiency, traceability and competitiveness within Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The ABIS team also raised concerns over visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates working on the Abuja Mega Livestock Processing Facility project, calling for streamlined visa processes to ease project implementation and support the timely delivery of the agro-industrial hub in the FCT.

Health

Pharmacists body urges FG to establish presidential committee for sector

The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 23, 2026

OCHEFA

102 Views

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) urges the Federal Government to establish a presidential committee dedicated to the pharmaceutical sector, implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, and strengthening existing laws against fake drugs.

ACPN made the call while reacting to the government’s recent ban on imported drugs, describing the move as a strategic step toward strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and conserving foreign exchange.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association said the updated prohibition schedule covering drugs under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 through 3004.90.00 signals renewed commitment to protecting domestic industry players.

The ACPN specifically highlighted the ban on the importation of commonly used medicines such as paracetamol tablets and syrups, metronidazole, clotrimazole, chloroquine, multivitamins, aspirin and folic acid, as well as topical preparations like penicillin and gentamycin ointments.

It described the development as a “step in the right direction” that would boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.

It attributed this gap partly to continued dependence on imports, especially from China and India, which it said accounts for about 65 per cent of drug supply in the country.

It also urged reforms in pharmaceutical education and training to expand the pool of skilled professionals across industry, clinical, hospital and community practice.