Francis Sardauna in Katsina
The Assembly of Health Care Professionals in Katsina State has threatened to embark on industrial action if the state government fails to address its welfare and professional demands within 21 days.
Addressing journalists in Katsina Tuesday on behalf of the Assembly, the state Chairman of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria, Comrade Ibrahim Balange, said the members of the union would embark on strike after the expiration of the ultimatum.
He explained that the ultimatum, which took effect on August 11, 2026, was issued after several engagements, meetings and representations to the state government failed to produce significant progress on the workers’ demands.
He said the health professionals were demanding the immediate implementation of 100 per cent Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as applicable in Federal Government-owned health institutions.
He noted that the health workers are also demanding the skipping of CONHESS 10, as contained in previous government circulars and correspondence submitted to relevant committees in the state.
Balange said the assembly was further demanding an upward review of the hazard allowance to 100 per cent, in line with what is obtainable in federal health institutions.
Other demands, he said, included upward review of call duty, shift, clinical and non-clinical, rural and specialist allowances, as well as an increase in nurses’ uniform allowance to N80,000, as applicable in federal health institutions.
He said the demands were not aimed at undermining the government but were necessary to improve the welfare and motivation of health workers and ultimately strengthen healthcare delivery in Katsina State.
Balange expressed concern that the prolonged delay in resolving the issues was affecting the morale and productivity of healthcare professionals whom he said, despite the challenges, remained committed to serving residents of the state.
He warned that failure by the government to meet the demands within the 21-day ultimatum would leave the health professionals with no option but to down tools.
He, however, appealed to the state government to use the period of the ultimatum to resolve the issues and avert a disruption of healthcare services across the state.
He said the Assembly remained hopeful that Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration would respond positively to the demands in the interest of healthcare workers and the people of the state.
Balange revealed that the Assembly, comprising the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria and Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, had been patient with the government over the issues.