A group of health unions from Abia State, including the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Medical and Health Union of Nigeria, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, have written to Governor Alex Otti regarding their intention to terminate services due to purported nonpayment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) review.
In a letter that emanated from their office in Umuahia, signed by their respective leaders, Ngozi Duke, Offor Solomon and Oparaocha Chibueze, the health workers said they have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Abia State government to address the CONHESS issues or face strike.
The coalition of Abia health unions, who said it had started mobilizing and sensitizing members across the State to embark on the strike, lamented that the State government did not respond to their previous 21 days ultimatum until it expired on March 26, 2025.
According to the health workers, the demands contained in the previous 21-day ultimatum were not addressed by the State government, as no government official formally engaged them in discussion on the unpaid consolidated salary structure.
They claimed that the members of various health unions under the coalition had been thrown into financial hardship, warning that the situation could undermine their well-being and also affect the quality of healthcare services in Abia State.
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“The coalition of Abia health union is compelled to invoke Section 41 of Trade Dispute Act Cap T8, laws of the Federation of Nigeria to issue 15 days notice of withdrawal of services if our demand is not reasonable addressed”, the statement said.
According to them, the letter, which was dated March 27, 2025, was received at the Government House, Umuahia, on March 28, 2025.
