By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.
The Anambra State Organized Health Sector Unions have issued a 15-day ultimatum to Governor Charles Soludo to implement the 100 percent Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health professionals in the State or they will shut down the sector.
In a statement separately signed by the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives (NANNM); Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAP), the three unions that make up the organized health sector, the health workers insisted that the ultimatum had become necessary for government to do the needful to avert eventual shutdown of the health sector in Anambra State.
The unions are asking Governor Soludo for the implementation of the 25 percent reviewed CONHESS table to be factored into their salaries; enhanced call duty, shift allowances, and reviewed hazard allowance for health professionals, and internship provision for fresh graduates.
They also demand promotion of health professionals and workers and employment of health professionals and workers, among others.
The document signed by Anambra State Chairman of NUAP, Comrade Charles Nwoye with his Secretary, Afam Udeozo; State Chairman, NANNM, Comrade Onwuka Edith, and the Secretary, Dr Ikedi Onah said that due to non-response to the above demands, the workers’ grief and pitiable situation resurrected in July and another notice of ultimatum with effect from August 1, 2025, to August 15, 2025, was given.
“Before the expiration of the ultimatum, the Honorable Commissioner for Health convened a meeting of the union leaders in his office, and the outcome was conveyed to the membership of the organized labour in her expanded State Executive Council meeting, but received utter opposition and rejection.
“It was thereafter resolved at the floor of the expanded State Executive Council in session that a third (15-day) ultimatum be served on the State government once again with effect from Wednesday, August 20, 2025, to Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
“If at the expiration of the ultimatum by midnight of Thursday, September 4, 2025, our demands remained unmet, there will be no other option than the commencement of industrial action across all the health facilities in the State where our members work, “the statement read in part.
Comrade Nwoye, who doubles as the Deputy President of NUAP in South and the Spokesman of organized health sector unions in Anambra, added in a separate interview that their counterparts who are physicians receive Consolidated Medical Salary Structure with ease, while members of their unions are left behind.
“We are suffering so much and a lot of our members are leaving the health system of Anambra State. A few of us who are patriotic ones, who stay back, are being overworked. Some of our members are seeking greener pastures even in other States within the country where CONHESS is implemented. That’s now where our own japa syndrome has gotten to.
“It’s no longer leaving for abroad, people are leaving for other States around us.
“We want to work with the Governor, we want to work with the Anambra State government, and we also want to promote the health system of Anambra.
“But we suspect that the people who are supposed to relay this information to the Governor are not doing so correctly. And we want to use this medium to call on the Governor to listen to this last call of ours and do justice to this demand. This is one capital demand that will affect more than 70 percent of japa syndrome that is happening in Anambra State. There could be other factors, but this is the flagship, “he said.
Comrade Nwoye said that if people were well remunerated that there would be no need for health professionals to leave the State.
“The normal artisan in the street, an average vulknizer in the street, an average Okada rider in the street, a Keke rider in the street is earning more than most health professionals in Anambra State civil service. Yes, anybody can go and check it.
“An average artisan in Anambra State goes home with a day’s income of not less than N15,000 or N20,000. Any Okada man or a Keke rider who doesn’t make up to N15,000 daily may not have been working hard.
“Now, if you calculate it say, by 20 days in a month, you see what they make. An average health professional does not have a salary that translates to a day job of above N10,000. That’s what we are saying. The cost of living in Nigeria currently is very high, everybody knows that.
“Health professionals who are in such sensitive specialties and health care services should not be neglected. They need adequate remuneration and incentives for them to put in their best, “Comrade Nwoye concluded.
