The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) at University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan launched an indefinite strike on Monday, deepening the ongoing crisis as resident doctors’ strike reaches its 17th day. Aside from the main gate, all other entrances to UCH were shut and guarded by JOHESU members.
JOHESU, which includes unions like the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities and Teaching Hospitals (SSAUTHRAI), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and Non-Academic Staff of Universities, demands an upward review of the Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS), mirroring the raises granted to the doctors’ salary scale (CONMESS) since 2014.
Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, JOHESU Chairman at UCH, stated the strike follows a national directive after the Federal Government failed to meet their requests. “CONMESS has been adjusted, but CONHESS hasn’t changed since 2014. We won’t back down until this inequality is fixed,” he said, urging members to strictly comply despite threats of ‘no work, no pay.’
Olabampe assured that the hospital management understands the national nature of the strike and urged members to prioritize humanity by going home promptly after meetings. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will attend to anyone needing medical care during the strike, and union leaders will monitor the situation closely.
Meanwhile, resident doctors have been on strike since November 1, pushing for a 200% salary increase and full implementation of new allowances proposed since 2022. These ongoing strikes are likely to severely impact patient care and hospital revenue, with no admissions or surgeries taking place.
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