Posted on: Mon 02-02-2026

The ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has entered its third month, crippling activities in government-owned hospitals across Nigeria, leaving patients stranded and forcing many to seek essential medical services outside public health facilities.

Now in its third month, the industrial action has grounded critical services, particularly in hospital pharmacies, laboratories, and other support departments, significantly disrupting healthcare delivery at federal institutions. While the strike has hit federal hospitals hardest, health workers in most state-owned hospitals, especially in Ekiti and Benue states, have largely remained on duty, cushioning the impact on patients.

However, in some state facilities, separate industrial actions by resident doctors, nurses, and midwives have further strained services. At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, staff embarked on strikes over unpaid salaries, pension issues, and dilapidated infrastructure.

At the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI), medical doctors and nurses were observed at their duty posts, but many other health workers stayed away, leaving the hospital largely inactive. The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Ekiti State Council, and immediate past FETHI JOHESU Chairman, Ayodeji Ogunrinu, described the prolonged strike as “very unfortunate.”

“It has deprived many, not just members of the community but also hospital staff who would ordinarily have received medical services to save their lives,” Ogunrinu said. He stressed that every category of worker in a health facility was vital, adding that FETHI now resembled a ghost town, lacking water, electricity, drugs, laboratory services, and other essentials, making patient admission almost impossible.

Ogunrinu urged the Federal Government to implement the 2018 circular from the Federal Ministry of Labour on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) for JOHESU members, which forms the basis of the strike that began in late 2025.

In contrast, JOHESU members at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, have not joined the strike. The Acting Chairman, Adewale Adeosun, said the decision was taken as a mark of respect for Governor Biodun Oyebanji, noting that patient turnout at EKSUTH had surged due to the shutdown of federal hospitals.

“If you come to EKSUTH now, it is like a market. Patients who would have gone to federal hospitals are now coming here,” Adeosun said, commending the state government for its support of the facility.

The Ekiti State JOHESU Chairman, Oluwafemi Ajoloko, expressed optimism that the Federal Government would accede to the union’s demands for an upward review of CONHESS within weeks. He noted that while federal health workers were on strike, staff in state hospitals and primary health centres remained at work, though with increased workload.

At the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, activities have been scaled down significantly. Doctors told The PUNCH that no serious services had been rendered since the strike began, with surgeries scheduled since November 2025 left unattended. The JOHESU Chairman at OAUTHC, Abdullateef Adeyeni, disclosed that the hospital had lost about N1.5 billion in internally generated revenue over the three months.

“Our Chief Medical Director said the hospital loses a minimum of N500 million monthly. Patients are suffering, and the Federal Government has turned a deaf ear,” Adeyeni said, accusing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, of nonchalance.

In Ondo State, public hospitals have recorded low patronage. At the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, laboratories, pharmacies, and registry offices were locked, with only doctors and consultants on duty. Many patients have turned to private hospitals. A patient, Mrs Remilekun Ayebo, said she now patronises a private facility and only visits the government hospital to consult her doctor.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, said services had not been significantly affected. “The strike is ongoing, but we are doing what we are supposed to do,” said Dr Olufunmilayo Dada. However, the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Olumuyiwa Alonge, noted that the absence of laboratory scientists and pharmacists had hampered doctors’ work.

At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), services were nearly paralysed, with pharmacies and laboratories closed. An official of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Abdulazeez, lamented the slow pace of government negotiations, stressing that the strike was not intended to punish patients but to address grievances unresolved for over a decade.

In Lagos, disruptions were evident at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where the fee-paying pharmacy was shut and laboratory services reduced. Patients were forced to purchase drugs from private pharmacies, while blood donation services were unavailable due to staff shortages.

Similarly, Alimosho General Hospital operated skeletal services. The Chairman of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Gbolahan Adenuga, said interns and local staff were bearing increased workloads in the absence of JOHESU members.

In Benue State, JOHESU Chairman Benjamin Ioryem said the union was not on strike, citing progress in resolving internal issues. However, healthcare delivery has been partially grounded due to ongoing strikes by nurses, midwives, and resident doctors at the State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, over salary arrears, pension deductions, manpower shortages, and poor infrastructure.

The Benue State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said the government was addressing the issues and that the affected unions could suspend the strike “at any moment.”

As negotiations continue, patients across the country remain the hardest hit, navigating a strained health system amid prolonged industrial unrest.

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