A healthcare stakeholder, Mr Shem Adah, says recent industrial actions by health unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have created opportunities for healthcare system reforms.
Adah told reporters on Sunday that repeated strikes by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and others disrupted services across the FCT.
He noted that the actions further strained an already fragile system challenged by inadequate funding, manpower shortages, and weak infrastructure.
Adah said the strike period highlighted the need for stronger contingency planning, sustainable workforce development, and improved health financing to prevent service disruptions during industrial disputes.
He commended the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), under Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), led by Dr Kelechi Ohiri, for implementing emergency measures to ensure continued access to care.
According to him, inter-agency meetings and swift interventions provided alternative referral points and financial access, particularly for vulnerable residents.
Adah said the response underscored the importance of coordination between health authorities and regulatory agencies in managing crises.
He stressed the need to institutionalize emergency response frameworks to minimize the impact of future industrial actions.
Adah called for an urgent manpower overhaul and increased investment in sustainable healthcare infrastructure across the FCT.
He urged the development of clear policy strategies for swift intervention during unavoidable disputes.
The stakeholder appealed to the FCT Administration to prioritize healthcare infrastructure, funding, and manpower development within its governance agenda.
He said strengthening the FCT healthcare system would support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and improve access to quality care for residents and visitors.
Adah also advocated stronger collaboration among public and private sector actors, alongside improved engagement with trade unions.
While acknowledging unions as vital dialogue platforms, he said industrial disputes should not expose citizens to life-threatening healthcare disruptions.
JOHESU recently suspended its nationwide strike after 84 days of industrial action.
The suspension followed an expanded emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja on Friday, which reviewed outcomes of a Federal Government–JOHESU conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment.
