The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has accused the Federal Government of insensitivity and deliberate neglect as the ongoing strike by healthcare workers continues to disrupt public hospitals across the country.
In a statement signed by its National Chairperson, Mr. Rufus Olusesan, and National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chinedu Bosah, the group said the strike by members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which began on 14 November 2025, has entered its third week, leaving thousands of Nigerians without access to medical care in public health facilities.
According to CDWR, the prolonged industrial action is the result of the government’s failure to address longstanding demands by health workers, including poor working conditions, dilapidated health facilities, and the non-implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
Rather than resolving these issues, the group said the government has adopted punitive measures such as the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy, threats of dismissal, and the use of court orders to restrain health workers from embarking on strike action.
“The strike has paralysed most public tertiary hospitals across the country, making it impossible for many Nigerians to access medical treatment,” the statement said. “While workers and the poor suffer, members of the ruling elite continue to embark on expensive medical tourism using public funds.”
CDWR also blamed the crisis on chronic underfunding of the healthcare sector, noting that understaffed and ill-equipped hospitals, inadequate facilities, and what it described as undemocratic management structures have further weakened the health system.
JOHESU comprises the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions (SSANU).
The rights group recalled the recent strike by the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which began on 1 November 2025 and was suspended on 29 November 2025 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the government. It warned that resident doctors have threatened to resume their strike on 12 January 2026 over the alleged failure of the government to implement the agreement.
CDWR expressed concern that what it described as government “interventions” have amounted to empty promises, cautioning that renewed industrial action by resident doctors could further strain the already fragile health sector.
It also criticised the use of court injunctions to stop health workers from striking, describing such actions as intimidation rather than genuine attempts to resolve the dispute.
Calling for urgent action, the group urged the Tinubu-led administration to immediately meet the demands of JOHESU, NARD, and other healthcare workers, withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” policy, and significantly increase funding for the healthcare sector.
The group further called for democratic management of public hospitals that would include elected representatives of workers and host communities, arguing that sustained investment is necessary to guarantee free, quality, and accessible healthcare for Nigerians.
In addition, CDWR appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to organisesolidarity actions in support of striking health workers.
While welcoming the ultimatum earlier issued by the TUC to the government, the group urged labour leaders to ensure that the threat of action is backed by effective mobilisation and incorporates the demands of resident doctors.
CDWR warned that failure by the government to meet the demands of health workers after the expiration of the ultimatum could trigger coordinated mass actions nationwide involving labour unions, civil society organisations, and the wider public.
