The coalition of health sector unions in Lagos State has commenced a three-day warning strike.
The unions embarked on the industrial action over non-implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS.
The coalition include the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, and the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.
In an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, secretary of NANNM, Oloruntoba Odumosu maintained that the strike would hold following the expiration of an ultimatum issued by the unions.
The scribe stated that a meeting of the union leaders with officials of the state government on Dec. 9 ended in an impasse.
“The government officials couldn’t give us a clear timeline for the implementation of our demands and there’s no governor’s approval for the payment.
“We reported the feedback to the Congress, which was ongoing at our secretariat, and it unanimously voted ‘No’, insisting on proceeding with the strike,” Odumosu said.
He complained that the matter had lingered for long, in spite of many attempts by the unions to resolve it amicably.
Odumosu regretted that the government appeared indifferent to addressing their legitimate demands despite the critical roles played by members of the unions in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to Lagos residents.
In the same vein, Lagos State Secretary of NUAHP, Kamaldeen Kabiawu expressed dissatisfaction over delay in implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment, especially after the government approved a 35 per cent CONMESS adjustment for doctors in October this year.
The strike by the health workers is expected to affect all state-owned health facilities – Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), general hospitals, and primary health centres (PHCs).
