The Joint Health Sector Unions has warned that health workers across the country may embark on another round of industrial action over the Federal Government’s continued failure to implement the long-awaited adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
The warning was issued on Tuesday by the National Chairman of JOHESU and President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Kabiru Minjibir, during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.
Minjibir expressed frustration over what he described as years of neglect and unfulfilled promises by the Federal Government regarding salary adjustments for health workers under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, commonly known as CONHESS.
According to him, the issue has remained unresolved for more than a decade despite repeated discussions, negotiations and engagements between the union and government representatives.
He explained that the dispute originated from provisions contained in the salary structures introduced in 2016 for medical doctors and other categories of health professionals within the public sector.
“When the two salary structures were released in 2016, there was a clause that once one salary structure is reviewed upward, it automatically attracts a review of the other one,” Minjibir stated.
He noted that while the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, known as CONMESS and applicable to medical doctors, had been reviewed upward on three separate occasions, health workers under CONHESS had not received corresponding adjustments.
“Unfortunately, three reviews were done to CONMESS, which is for medical doctors, while other health workers were neglected,” he said.
Minjibir described the situation as unfair and discriminatory, arguing that non-doctor health workers had continued to play critical roles in Nigeria’s healthcare system without receiving equitable treatment in remuneration and welfare.
He warned that the prolonged delay in implementing the CONHESS adjustment was fueling frustration and dissatisfaction among health professionals including nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists and other allied health workers.
According to him, many health workers feel undervalued despite their contributions to healthcare delivery, especially during periods of national health emergencies and workforce shortages.
The JOHESU chairman said the union had exercised patience over the years in the hope that the government would honour its commitments, but warned that members were becoming increasingly agitated over the issue.
He stressed that if the Federal Government failed to address the matter urgently, the union could be left with no option other than to resume industrial action.
Minjibir explained that industrial harmony in the health sector could only be sustained through fairness, equity and respect for agreements reached with labour unions.
He also criticised what he described as selective implementation of policies within the health sector, saying such practices were creating avoidable tension among healthcare professionals.
The labour leader argued that all categories of health workers contribute significantly to patient care and the functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country.
According to him, the continued neglect of CONHESS adjustments has negatively affected morale among health workers and contributed to growing dissatisfaction within the public health system.
Minjibir further warned that failure to resolve the issue could worsen the ongoing challenge of brain drain in the health sector, where many skilled professionals continue to leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad.
He said poor remuneration and inconsistent welfare policies were among the factors driving the migration of healthcare workers to foreign countries.
The JOHESU chairman therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently implement the salary adjustment and demonstrate commitment to improving the welfare of all health professionals.
He appealed to relevant ministries and agencies to prioritise dialogue and prevent another disruption in healthcare services through timely action.
Health sector observers say the dispute reflects long-standing tensions over remuneration structures and perceived inequality among various professional groups within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Over the years, JOHESU has repeatedly accused authorities of favouring medical doctors in salary and welfare policies while neglecting other healthcare workers.
The union has also embarked on several industrial actions in the past over issues relating to salary adjustments, allowances, promotion arrears and working conditions.
Analysts warn that another nationwide strike in the health sector could place additional pressure on Nigeria’s already overstretched healthcare system, especially in public hospitals where millions of citizens depend on government services.
Patients and civil society groups have also expressed concern over the possibility of another industrial action, noting that previous strikes often resulted in disruptions to medical services and hardship for vulnerable patients.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had yet to officially respond to JOHESU’s latest warning as of the time of filing this report.
However, labour experts believe the government may be compelled to reopen negotiations with the union to prevent another crisis in the health sector.
Observers say resolving the CONHESS dispute quickly could help restore confidence among healthcare workers and reduce tensions within public health institutions nationwide.
For many health workers, the issue goes beyond salary adjustments and touches on broader concerns regarding recognition, fairness and the future of the country’s healthcare workforce.
