The incessant industrial actions in Nigeria’s health sector have become a major source of concern to many citizens, as they are increasingly viewed as a recurring strategy to draw the attention of the Federal Government, with little or no lasting solution in sight.
One of the unresolved disputes is the strike embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which commenced on November 15, 2025. The industrial action is yet to be called off, a situation the unions attribute to the Federal Government’s lack of responsiveness to their long-standing demands.
Speaking with AlmondFM News, the Chairman of JOHESU, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Chapter, Comrade Oladayo Olabampe, said the unions are demanding equity in the nation’s health sector. He noted that despite health workers laying down their tools for almost two months, the strike has not yielded any tangible response from the Federal Government.
The prolonged industrial action has significantly affected public health facilities across the country, forcing many patients to seek alternative and often costly private healthcare services, while others are left without access to medical attention.
During a visit to the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, AlmondFM News observed that hospital activities were yet to be fully restored to normal operations.
Giving a situation report on the impact of the strike on academic activities, a medical student attached to the Radiology Department disclosed that students now attend lectures only, as there are no health personnel available to handle practical sessions.
Similarly, a resident doctor who spoke with AlmondFM explained that the strike has drastically reduced the number of patients visiting the hospital, negatively affecting his clinical training and hands-on experience.
Recall that the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had planned to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike today over poor enumeration, bureaucratic delays in salary payments, and unsafe working conditions.
However, the association suspended the proposed strike following an emergency National Executive Council meeting, after what it described as a swift intervention by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists in a televised interview, the NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, said the decision to suspend the strike was to allow time to assess progress made through engagements with relevant government institutions.
With the frequent industrial actions in the health sector, stakeholders believe that meaningful dialogue and decisive intervention by the Federal Government are crucial to addressing the concerns of health workers. Until lasting solutions are implemented, repeated disruptions will continue to affect healthcare delivery and place the wellbeing of Nigerians at risk.
Post comments (0)