A coalition of health workers in Abia State, including the National Association of Nigerian Nurses, the Medical and Health Union of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Workers, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government demanding the payment of the reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The coalition has instructed the individual unions to begin mobilizing their members across the state in preparation for a strike if the CONHESS salary structure is not paid within the stipulated time.
In a joint press release signed by Ngozi Duke, Chairman of the Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Offor Solomon, Chairman of the Medical and Health Union of Nigeria, and Oparaocha Chibueze, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Workers, the health workers expressed their frustration over the state government’s failure to address the earlier 21-day ultimatum, which expired on March 26, 2025.
The health workers stated that none of the demands from the initial ultimatum had been met, and no government official had engaged in discussions with them regarding the unpaid salary structure.
“The delay in payment remains unexplained, as no communication has been made to the union in that regard,” the coalition said. They emphasized that the prolonged delay has placed their members in severe financial hardship, which is unacceptable and undermines the well-being and motivation of health workers—critical to delivering quality healthcare in the state.
In response to the ongoing issue, the coalition has invoked Section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act Cap T8 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, issuing a 15-day notice of potential withdrawal of services if the demands are not adequately addressed.
