Imo Health Workers Threaten Indefinite Strike Over Welfare Neglect

Health workers in Imo State under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have threatened to shut down the state’s health sector with an indefinite strike over what they described as persistent neglect of their welfare by the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The unions said the planned strike followed several failed negotiations with the state government aimed at resolving outstanding welfare and salary-related issues affecting health workers.

The decision was contained in a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman of JOHESU, Comrade Uche Okafor, and other union leaders.

According to the statement, the workers said the alleged continued neglect of their welfare had left them with no option but to embark on an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

The unions explained that the decision came after repeated efforts to draw the attention of the governor to their concerns through the State Ministry of Health and the Office of the Head of Service yielded no meaningful response.

They noted that the salary structure currently reflected on the state payroll portal — including designations such as HWSS, CSS and HAPSS  was inconsistent with the approved Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The unions argued that the development had led to stagnation and unjustifiable reduction in the earnings of health workers, contrary to the intent of the approved salary framework.

They added that the situation had imposed severe hardship on health workers across the state.

“The union, in line with established industrial relations procedures, issued a 21-day ultimatum on November 12, 2025, which expired on December 3, 2025, without any meaningful engagement from the government,” the statement said.

The workers listed their demands to include the immediate and unconditional restoration of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for all health workers in the state without discrimination.

They also called for the payment of specialists’ allowance, call duty allowance, clinical duty allowance, teaching allowance, hazard allowance and rural posting allowance for eligible members.

Other demands include payment of outstanding CONHESS arrears from September 2025 to date and the harmonisation and full implementation of the financial effects of promotions for staff of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH).

The unions further expressed concern over what they described as the continued notional placement of some officers, while others promoted at the same time were already enjoying the full benefits of their promotions.

They insisted on the full implementation of CONHESS, prompt payment of hazard allowances and improved welfare and working conditions for health workers in the state.