Jonathan Nwokpor
Workers at several government-owned hospitals in Kaduna State began a five-day warning strike on Monday due to the hospital’s crippled operations as a result of the 2009 CONHESS and hazard allowance not being implemented.
The industrial action was started by the Kaduna State chapters of the Nigerian Association of Hospital Administrative Pharmacists, the Nigerian Association of Laboratory Scientists, and the Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives.
The Gwamna Awan General Hospital in Kaduna, the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, and the Sabo General Hospital in Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area, all strictly adhered to the industrial action.
In contrast to the previous week, when nurses were proactive in carrying out their responsibilities, the majority of patients informed ZINGTIE on Monday that they had noted the lack of nurses.
When a nurse from one of the government hospitals arrived later, she told the patients that because they were on strike, she was handing them their last prescription.
“I became worried because I know my daughter is very sick,” said a worried patient.
A different patient urged the Kaduna State Government to act swiftly in response to the health workers’ predicament, which is impacting regular people seeking medical attention.
The government has been unable to provide the Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives with its 2009 CONHESS and 2022 hazard allowance for some months, according to Comrade Ishaku Yakubu, Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of the organisation. He lamented the hollow promises the administration continues to make to them.
He clarified that the union intended to go on strike in 2023, but the government formed a committee to look into the matter. The CONHESS pay scale for physicians and other health workers was thoroughly examined by the committee.
He continued by saying that all health professionals would have their salaries reviewed, as promised by the administration. On the other hand, nurses are still awaiting their balance from the 2009 CONHESS, while doctors have received their balance from the 2014 CONHESS.
Yakubu stated that they have been requesting the 2022 hazard allowance in addition to their requests. They responded to the Commissioner for Health’s request in November 2023 by computing the financial impact of the 2022 hazard allowance and submitting their results.
He claims that the government agreed to pay them 50% in 2023 and the remaining 50% in 2024 when the Commissioner examined the bill. This pledge hasn’t been fulfilled, though.
He continued by saying that Governor Uba Sani is a labor-friendly governor and that they hoped he would take action on their demands because they did not want to give him a hard time.
Yakubu insisted that they would only end the walkout in response to their demands being fulfilled.
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