Patients in public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and other parts of Nigeria have complained about how hard things are because of the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Associations. This strike started while resident doctors were already on strike.
According to Daily Trust, the shutdown that started at midnight on November 14 has left numerous facilities without laboratory scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists, optometrists, pharmacists, or dieticians on duty.
The unions went on strike because the federal government kept failing to put the amended Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) into effect and fix long-standing welfare and structural problems that health professionals face.
Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, the national head of JOHESU, issued a statement that said the decision.
The JOHESU-affiliated unions are going on strike at the same time as doctors are on strike under the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The doctors’ strike started on November 1 because they weren’t getting their hazard pay, the working conditions were bad, and the agreed-upon welfare reforms weren’t being put into place.
The results showed that the strikes by both doctors and other health workers at the same time had made it impossible for federal teaching hospitals, specialist centers, and many state-owned hospitals to provide services.
JOHESU is the name of a group that includes the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
JOHESU indicated that the delay in putting the new CONHESS into effect was the main reason for the strike, but the unions said that there were also other concerns that had not been handled that led to the decision to stop services.
Patients complain
At the radiography department of the General Hospital in Kubwa, skeletal services were seen.
A worker in the unit, who did not want to be named, said, “We have been told to offer skeletal services.” If nothing happens in the next two weeks, we will close down completely.
Deborah Luka, a 58-year-old woman with high blood pressure, claimed she had been turned away twice.
“I’m scared for my life.” Please help the government end this strike. “I need my medicine,” she said.
Johnson Alade, who had to have an X-ray after a car accident, said he had nowhere else to go.
“They can’t check my injury without radiographers.” “I beg the government: this can’t go on,” he stated.
Hassana Ibrahim, who is 22 years old and has sickle cell disease, has been devastated by the unavailability of lab services.
“The nurses said they couldn’t do my test. The government needs to help us. “We are in pain,” she stated at the Wuse General Hospital.
Blessing Owoyemi added that his son’s recuperation has stopped since he needs physiotherapy after surgery.
Ebuka Ikenna reported that his scheduled eye exam at the Asokoro District Hospital was canceled because his vision was getting worse.
“How can a strike stop me from seeing?” He stated, “Those in charge should step in right away.”
Kelvin Osagie, who has diabetes, said he was afraid of not taking care of his illness properly.
“I need help from the pharmacist and dietician.” I think my health is becoming worse. Osagie added, “I ask the authorities to end this strike.”
Mustapha Bello, who was sent for an MRI scan at the same place, said he had been waiting since Monday.
Bankole Grace, a pregnant woman in her third trimester, said she couldn’t finish her regular prenatal examinations at the Bwari General Hospital.
An ulcer patient named Tijani Salihu stated he hadn’t been able to get more of the medicine he was told to take.
“The medications are in the hospital, but no pharmacist has let them go. He remarked, “The government needs to fix whatever the problems are right away.”
Esther Victor recently had eye surgery at a private clinic, but she hasn’t been able to follow up since she thinks there aren’t any optometrists at the government hospital.
“I’m afraid. I need someone to look at how I’m healing. “Please act now,” she said to the government.
At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH) in Bauchi, the results showed that all union members followed the union’s orders to stay home, except for consultants who are not members of JOHESU.
Our reporter went to the hospital yesterday and saw that the strike had forced the hospital to offer less services and several areas were empty.
When we called, Usman Abdullahi Koli, the head of public relations and protocol at ATBU-TH, said that the hospital’s management had made plans to fill the gap left by the strike. He said, “Consultants are running limited services with the help of House Officers and IT students to make sure that medical service continues, but emergency services are working fully in the hospital.”
Experts give their thoughts
Dr. Godwin Ekuwke, a gynecologist, claimed that the strikes by JOHESU and resident doctors at the same time had made healthcare delivery “a dangerous vacuum.”
He remarked, “When resident doctors aren’t working and allied health professionals like lab scientists, radiographers, pharmacists, and physiotherapists aren’t either, the whole clinical chain falls apart.” Every day, patients are slipping through the cracks, and this is something that can be stopped.
Ekuwke told leaders of the government and unions to go back to the negotiating table with good intentions.
“Both sides need to put life first. He went on to say that the government needs to be straightforward and honest about welfare issues, and that unions need to make sure that emergency services aren’t completely affected.
Bitrus Danladi, a microbiologist, noted that laboratory services are essential for making accurate diagnoses and that their absence has serious consequences.
“Lab tests are needed for more than 70% of diagnoses. Because lab scientists are on strike, we have to treat people without seeing them. He remarked, “This makes it more likely that people will be misdiagnosed, delays treatment, and can make public health worse.”
He suggested that the health industry set up a mediation organization that works well.
“The government should set up a Health Sector Arbitration Panel that meets every three months. He remarked, “That way, problems can be fixed before they turn into nationwide strikes.”
Nwachukwu Nonso, a doctor who works in public health, claimed that the lack of a long-term plan for health workers’ salaries, training, and equipment was the main reason for the strikes.
“Every time there is a crisis, we see agreements that are reactive instead of planning for the long term. Both doctors and other health workers are very important. “You can’t run a hospital with just one group,” he remarked.
He suggested a three-step solution:
Short-term: An emergency meeting with all unions right away, led by neutral parties.
In the medium run, there should be a single pay system based on work appraisal, not pressure from the industry.
Long-term: More money for hospitals to help them cut down on work, burnout, and unhappiness.
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