Healthcare workers represented by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have announced their intention to participate in the impending strike organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), set to begin on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Despite a court order preventing the congress from striking in June, the NLC has decided to proceed with a nationwide strike due to the adverse impact of subsidy removal, causing severe hardship for Nigerians.
The health workers, led by Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, the National Vice Chairman of JOHESU, expressed their shared concern about the economic challenges and their desire for an improved quality of life.
Dr Ogbonna said, “All the trade unions are one affiliate or the other to the Trade Union Congress and the NLC, so if the two of them unanimously agree on the strike, that means the unions in the health sector, the academics, private and other industries will be involved.
“So, it will be very dangerous if we have to embark on the strike. Even NANNM will join the strike because it is an affiliate of NLC.”
Ogbonna, however, warned against miscreants hijacking the planned strike.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Uche Ojinmah, said doctors in the country would not be joining the NLC planned strike.
“We are not a member of the NLC, so we will not join the strike,” Ojinmah said.
