Workers in various government-owned hospitals across Kaduna State embarked on a five-day warning strike on Monday over the non-implementation of the 2009 CONHESS and hazard allowance, resulting in the crippling of hospital activities.
The Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives, the Nigerian Association of Laboratory Scientists, and the Association of Hospital Administrative Pharmacists, Kaduna State Chapter, initiated the industrial action.
There was strict adherence to the industrial action at the Sabo General Hospital in Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area, the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, and the Gwamna Awan General Hospital, Kaduna.
Most patients told Newspot on Monday that they noticed the absence of nurses, unlike the previous week when nurses were proactive in discharging their duties.
A nurse at one of the government hospitals, who came in later, informed the patients that she was giving them their last medication as they were on strike.
One patient expressed concern, saying, “I became worried because I know my daughter is very sick.”
Another patient appealed to the Kaduna State Government to respond quickly to the plight of the health workers, which is affecting ordinary citizens seeking medical care.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives, Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Ishaku Yakubu, stated that they are demanding their 2009 CONHESS and 2022 hazard allowance, which the government has failed to fulfill for several months. He lamented that the government keeps giving them empty promises.
He explained that in 2023, the union wanted to go on strike, but the government set up a committee to address the issue. The committee conducted a thorough review of the CONHESS salary structure for doctors and other health workers.
He added that the government promised to implement the salary review for all health workers. However, while doctors received their balance of the 2014 CONHESS, nurses are still waiting for their balance of the 2009 CONHESS.
Yakubu noted that they have been asking for their demands and the 2022 hazard allowance. In November 2023, the Commissioner for Health invited them to calculate the financial implication of the 2022 hazard allowance, which they did and submitted.
According to him, when the Commissioner reviewed the bill, the government promised to pay them 50 percent in 2023 and the remaining 50 percent in 2024. However, this promise has not been kept.
He added that Governor Uba Sani is a labour-friendly governor and expressed hope that he would address their demands, as they do not want to criticize him harshly.
Yakubu maintained that they would only call off the strike if their demands were met.
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