The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has expressed frustration over the delay in implementing the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment for its members and other healthcare workers covered by the salary structure.

NUAHP voiced its dissatisfaction, highlighting that since 2014, when the issue first arose, the Federal Government has violated the collective bargaining agreement by adjusting the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical practitioners but failing to make similar adjustments for health workers under CONHESS.

This was revealed in a communiqué issued on Tuesday following the union’s National Executive Council meeting in Jos, Plateau State.

The communiqué, signed by NUAHP President Kamal Ibrahim and General Secretary Martin Egbanubi, also noted that despite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on October 29, 2024, after a conciliation meeting that led to the suspension of JOHESU’s nationwide strike, the government has yet to fulfill its obligations outlined in the MoU.

“NEC-in-Session warns about the implications of resuming the suspended strike action on the health sector and the nation in general if the Federal Government fails to urgently address this matter, which is a dispute of right.

“NEC, therefore, calls on President Bola Tinubu to honour his promise to JOHESU National Leadership at a meeting held in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on June 5th, 2023, by directing relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies, and other organs of the Federal Government, especially the Presidential Committee on Salaries to expeditiously deal with this matter for sustainable industrial harmony and in the public interest,” it stated

The union was also worried about the seven months’ arrears (June to December 2023) of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent review of CONHESS, despite being captured in the 2024 budget and the 2025 budget.

The National Executive Council (NEC) has condemned the delay in salary payments, calling it an unacceptable violation of item five of the FG-JOHESU Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 29, 2024, and the resolution made on December 20, 2024.

NEC is now demanding the immediate payment of these arrears to prevent industrial action.

The union also expressed concern over the rising cost of living and its negative impact on the welfare of its members, noting that it is a significant driver of migration among healthcare professionals.

In response, the union urged the government to introduce measures such as tax reductions and retention allowances to support healthcare workers, ease their financial burdens, and reduce the outflow of medical professionals abroad.

“NEC-in-Session calls on the government at all levels to implement tax reductions on clinical allowances, such as call duty, shift duty, and teaching allowances, to help mitigate the effects of the high cost of living on healthcare workers. Additionally, NEC appeals for the payment of retention allowances as an incentive to encourage healthcare professionals to remain in the country,” the communiqué stated.