OVER 60-DAY OLD STRIKE OF HEALTH WORKERS INDICTS TINUBU-LED GOVERNMENT AS INEFFICIENT AND ANTI-MASSES

CDWR CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO MEET HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ DEMANDS IMMEDIATELY AND ADEQUATELY FUND HEALTHCARE

GOVERNMENT SHOULD WITHDRAW ITS ‘NO WORK, NO PAY’ POLICY AND MEET WORKERS’ DEMANDS

The ongoing strike of health care workers under Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has paralysed many public hospitals across the country for 63 days now as of January 16, 2026 and still counting because government has refused to improve healthcare services and meet workers’ demands. Rather than improve healthcare delivery and working conditions of workers, government has responded with punitive measures such as ‘No Work, No Pay’, threat of sack and diversionary restraining court orders aimed at arm-twisting and bullying workers into submission.

Healthcare workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) commenced their strike on November 14, 2025 after the federal government refused to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and other lingering welfare issues such as poor working conditions and poor healthcare facilities. JOHESU is made up of Medical and Health Workers’ Union, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Universities.

This strike has made it impossible for many Nigerians to access medical treatment at most public tertiary hospitals including those on critical health conditions. While workers and the poor cannot access quality medical healthcare, members of the capitalist ruling elite and top public office holders regularly embark on expensive medical tourism at the expense of public funds. For instance, President Bola Tinubu travels regularly to France for medical treatment while neglecting public healthcare that is currently in ruins. The underfunding of the critical public service sectors, neglect of social amenities, ill-equipped and under-staffed public hospitals, inadequate public hospitals and undemocratic management of public hospitals are responsible for the appalling state of the health care sector.

Similarly, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had embarked on strike on November 1, 2025 and only suspended the strike on November 29, 2025 after an MOU was reached with government. However, the union had threatened to resume the strike on January 12, 2026 following the failure of the government to fulfil the agreement before the Vice President’s ‘intervention’ made them to rescind the plan. It is not out of place to conclude the said intervention was based on empty promises with no concrete commitment or action and therefore the doctors may be forced to eventually resume the strike. Some of the key NARD demands are for upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, 2024 accoutrements allowances, reinstatement of victimised doctors amongst others. It was the refusal of the federal government to meet the demands that led to the strike in the first place. But rather than meet the demands, the Tinubu-led government secured a ‘kangaroo’ restraining order on January 9, 2026 as one of the usual tactics to arm-twist and intimidate workers.

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) calls on the Tinubu-led government to immediately meet the demands of JOHESU, NARD and other health workers and holistically improve healthcare delivery. CDWR calls for adequate funding of healthcare sector as well as democratic management that include elected representatives of workers and community people. CDWR demands that government withdraws the ‘No Work, No Pay’ punitive measure and concentrate its effort and investment to achieve free and quality public healthcare for all.

We also call on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to organise solidarity actions in support of the striking health workers and agitating medical doctors. We welcome the ultimatum issued to the government by the TUC in solidarity with JOHESU but urge them to ensure that the threat is not just a mere hot air but there should be a serious preparation for action and also include the demands of NARD. We call on the TUC leadership to work with the NLC and begin an effective mobilisation and of affiliate unions, all health workers unions, civil society organisations and the public for a series of mass actions if the government does not meet the demands of JOHESU and NARD after the expiration of the ultimatum.

Comrade Rufus Olusesan

National Coordinator

Comrade Chinedu Bosah

National Publicity Secretary

E-mail: [email protected]