By Desire Emmanuel
The Federal Government and health workers in various federal health institutions in the country seem to have drawn a battle line over the strike embarked upon by the members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU).
JOHESU members include nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other allied health professionals and they are essential to hospital operations.
Their absence has weakened service delivery, even where emergency units remain open.
The Federal Government has therefore directed the immediate enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against the health workers participating in the strike which began on November 14, 2025.
This threat by the Federal Government was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Saturday in Abuja.
However, despite this threat, the health workers are adamant, insisting that nothing would stop the strike they embarked upon.
The circular ordering stoppage of salaries of those participating in the strike was addressed to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of all the federal health institutions.
According to the circular, hospital managements are to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” law.
The directive takes effect from January 2026 and applies to all striking JOHESU members, as well as any other category of staff who may embark on industrial action.
The ministry also directed health institutions to sustain critical services, including accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units, through all lawful means, including the engagement of locum staff where necessary.
“All members of staff who are willing to continue with their work must be allowed to do so without hindrance or intimidation,” the circular read.
It further directed hospital authorities to ensure the security of lives and property within their facilities and to provide regular updates to the ministry on the impact of the strike on service delivery.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to maintaining essential healthcare services nationwide in spite of the industrial action.
