Follow Us on Google
By Doris Obinna
The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU/AHPA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to approve the implementation of the adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and constitute Boards of Management for Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), regulatory agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The union warned that the continued delay in addressing the issues could weaken governance in the health sector and adversely affect service delivery.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Kabiru Sani, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, JOHESU said the Federal Government had yet to fully implement the terms of the agreement reached on February 15, 2026, which led to the suspension of its 84-day nationwide strike.
According to the union, key outstanding issues include the implementation of the CONHESS adjustment and the resumption and conclusion of negotiations on the Health Sector Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
JOHESU expressed concern that while governing boards had been constituted in ministries such as Education, Labour and Aviation, similar boards had yet to be inaugurated in agencies and institutions under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
It said the prolonged absence of governing boards had created institutional weaknesses, reduced productivity and undermined effective governance across health institutions and agencies.
The union noted that although chairmen had been appointed for some regulatory agencies and FHIs, many of the boards had not been inaugurated, preventing them from performing their statutory responsibilities.
It added that the situation had affected stakeholders and slowed decision-making in the affected institutions.
JOHESU further stated that the delay had serious implications for professional regulatory councils, particularly in the accreditation of universities and other training institutions, as well as the regulation of professional practice.
The union explained that disciplinary processes had also been stalled because statutory disciplinary tribunals could not be constituted without the chairmen of the professional councils, who are required to preside over them.
According to JOHESU, FHIs have equally been affected because they lack Boards of Management to oversee key employment and administrative matters despite employing thousands of workers across the country.
The union also raised concerns about accountability and transparency, noting that for more than three years the responsibility for overseeing the affected institutions had rested solely on their chief executive officers without the oversight provided by governing boards.
It warned that the continued absence of the boards could weaken institutional checks and balances and delay critical decisions needed to improve healthcare delivery.
JOHESU appealed to President Tinubu to urgently address the outstanding issues, stressing that prompt action would strengthen governance, improve industrial harmony and enhance the efficiency of the nation’s public health institutions.
The union expressed hope that the Federal Government would fulfil its commitments to health workers to avert avoidable industrial disputes that could disrupt healthcare services and leave patients bearing the consequences.
