The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Thursday visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, to enforce full compliance with the ongoing nationwide strike, insisting that the industrial action would continue until the Federal Government meets its demands.
The union said the enforcement followed a “no work, no pay” directive earlier issued by the Federal Ministry of Health, effective January 2026, which members argue has failed to address their long-standing grievances.
Led by union officials and carrying placards, JOHESU members moved through offices within the hospital to ensure that no staff were on duty. The exercise was aimed at pressuring the Federal Government to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which the unions say has remained unresolved for 12 years.
The enforcement was carried out by JOHESU affiliates at the facility—the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP). The unions said the action was necessary to strengthen their position and advance ongoing negotiations with the authorities.
Placards displayed by the workers bore inscriptions such as: “JOHESU strike, no justice, no retreat” and “CONHESS adjustment is sacrosanct, no going back,” among others.
Speaking during the exercise, the Abia State Chairman of NUAHP, Mr. Chibueze Oparaocha, said the unions decided to monitor compliance at FMC Umuahia because they constitute the major JOHESU affiliates at the facility.
“It is statutory that we go round from time to time to ensure there is full compliance,” Mr. Oparaocha said.
He added: “We followed due process before embarking on this strike, and if we do not get justice, we will continue to struggle.”
Also speaking, the Abia State Chairman of MHWUN, Mr. Solomon Offor, said the union was at the hospital to enforce the strike, which commenced on November 15, 2025. He noted that the central demand of the action remains the implementation of the adjusted CONHESS.
“We know that negotiations are ongoing between the national directorate of JOHESU and the Federal Ministry of Health, but enforcing this strike will push the government to do the needful,” Mr. Offor said.
The Chairperson of MHWUN at FMC Umuahia, Mrs. Commy Okonkwo, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance recorded at the facility. She commended members for their cooperation and commitment, while cautioning them against any actions that could undermine the union’s efforts.
“The compliance is quite encouraging, and I am hopeful that the government will listen to our demands and do the needful,” Mrs. Okonkwo said.
