The Federal Government has promised to pay the seven months’ salary it owes doctors and other health workers before the end of August 2025. This move is to stop a possible nationwide strike in the health sector.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, gave this assurance after meeting with leaders of major health unions in Abuja.
This promise comes after the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) gave the government 21 days to fix ongoing welfare issues or face a strike. Recently, the nurses’ union (NANNM) also paused a warning strike after some talks with the government.
To avoid more strikes, the Health Ministry held a high-level meeting with leaders from the NMA, NANNM, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Professor Pate said the government is serious about paying the owed salaries and fixing problems in the healthcare system. He also said President Tinubu is committed to solving these issues.
The presidents of the NMA and JOHESU, Prof. Bala Audu and Kabiru Minjibir, said they are hopeful but careful. They said the government must follow through with its promises to stop the strike from happening.
They urged the government to fulfill its commitments so that hospitals can continue to run smoothly without any more strikes or disruption of healthcare services across the country.
