ABUJA- The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has directed its members across all federal health institutions to withdraw their services indefinitely, effectively shutting down operations in hospitals nationwide. The order follows a new directive from the Federal Ministry of Health to enforce a “No Work, No Pay” policy, a move the union views as an attempt to stifle its ongoing industrial action.
In a statement issued to members on Saturday, JOHESU leader Comrade Abubakar Sani Aminu described the government’s policy as a unilateral decision imposed without prior consultation or dialogue. Aminu argued that the directive undermines workers’ rights and the established principles of collective bargaining, characterizing it as a “final weapon” intended to fracture the union’s unity and break the resolve of health workers.
According to the union, Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions have already been instructed to implement the policy. In response, JOHESU has mandated a total work stoppage, explicitly forbidding members from providing “skeleton services” or making any attempts to compromise. Aminu urged members to remain resolute, asserting that collective action remains the only way to secure their rights.
The union leadership further warned that allowing the government’s directive to stand would set a dangerous precedent for future labor relations within the health sector. While negotiations with the federal government are expected to continue, JOHESU reaffirmed its commitment to fighting for fair treatment, calling on its nationwide membership to maintain absolute solidarity.
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Ministry of Health has not issued an official response to the union’s total strike order. While the full impact on public health services is yet to be determined, previous JOHESU strikes have led to significant disruptions in healthcare delivery at federal hospitals across the country.
