Health care professionals in Katsina State have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government, demanding the immediate resolution of longstanding welfare and professional concerns or risk a statewide industrial action that could disrupt healthcare services across the state.

The ultimatum was announced on Tuesday during a media briefing in Katsina by the Assembly of Health Care Professionals in Nigeria (AHAPN), an umbrella body representing various unions within the state's health sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Assembly, AHAPN Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim A. Balance, said the decision followed months of unsuccessful engagements with government officials over issues affecting the welfare and working conditions of health care workers.

He expressed disappointment over what he described as the government's continued delay in responding to demands that had been repeatedly communicated through formal correspondences and meetings.

According to Balance, health workers had exercised patience and pursued dialogue in the hope of reaching an amicable resolution, but the lack of tangible progress had left the Assembly with no alternative but to issue the ultimatum.

He warned that failure by the government to address the concerns within the stipulated period would compel health workers across the state to embark on a statewide strike.

“Our members have remained committed to delivering quality healthcare services despite the challenges they face daily. However, the prolonged delay in addressing these legitimate concerns has adversely affected their morale, motivation and productivity,” he said.

At the heart of the workers’ demands is the immediate implementation of the 100 per cent Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which they argued should be aligned with what is currently obtainable in federal health institutions.

The Assembly is also demanding the implementation of the skipping of CONHESS 10, a request it said had been consistently presented to relevant government committees and authorities.

Advertisement

In addition, the health workers are seeking a comprehensive review of hazard allowances, calling for a 100 per cent increase to reflect the risks associated with their duties.

They further demanded upward reviews of call-duty, shift-duty, clinical, non-clinical, rural and specialist allowances, arguing that current rates no longer reflect prevailing economic realities and the demands of the profession.

The unions also called for an immediate review of uniform allowances for nurses and other health professionals in accordance with the scheme of service applicable to their counterparts under the Federal Government.

Balance noted that several other issues contained in previous submissions to the government remain unresolved and should be addressed as part of efforts to improve the welfare of health workers.

He maintained that the demands were neither excessive nor unreasonable, stressing that they were essential for boosting staff motivation, enhancing service delivery and strengthening the state's healthcare system.

The Assembly, which comprises several health sector unions but excludes the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), insisted that the government must act swiftly to prevent an avoidable crisis in the health sector.

While reaffirming its readiness to continue dialogue, the body warned that its members would be left with no option but to withdraw their services if the demands remain unmet after the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.

Despite the warning, the health workers expressed optimism that the Katsina State Government would intervene before the deadline, resolve the lingering issues and avert a strike that could affect healthcare delivery to thousands of residents across the state.