By Victor Ahiuma-Young
LAGOS — PATIENTS across Lagos State are groaning as public hospitals and health facilities continue to experience service disruptions following the extension of the strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, in Lagos State.
From Ikeja to Badagry, Epe to Ikorodu, and all over the state, patients seeking care in government-owned hospitals have been left stranded, with many either turning to private facilities or postponing treatment altogether as the industrial action enters its next phase.
JOHESU, which represents non-physician and non-nursing healthcare professionals in Lagos public hospitals, stated that the decision to sustain the strike was due to the Lagos State government’s failure to provide concrete and time-bound commitments on long-standing issues related to equity, remuneration, and professional recognition.
Addressing newsmen, the Chairman of JOHESU, Adelaja Gbadamosi, accused the Lagos State government of injustice, even as he blamed ‘powerful interests’ for blocking health reforms in Lagos, saying “JOHESU in Lagos rejects empty promises.”
Gbadamosi, who was represented by the JOHESU’s Secretary, Kabiawu Gbolahan, explained that the union joined the national strike on December 2, 2025, after prolonged negotiations with the state government failed to yield tangible results.
According to him, the strike was embarked upon as a last resort after repeated engagements with state officials did not translate into action.
Gbadamosi said: “Our members are fully aware of the hardship this action is causing Lagosians, but the neglect of our legitimate demands left us with no other option.”
The union’s demands include the recognition and appropriate remuneration of consultant pharmacists, establishment of autonomous Departments of Medical Laboratory Services in Lagos health institutions, provision of staff buses for healthcare workers, implementation of revised call-duty and shift allowances, and extension of retention allowances to all healthcare professionals.
The union further alleged that attempts to promote professional equity and autonomy in Lagos hospitals had been blocked by entrenched interests within the system.
JOHESU also criticised what it described as discriminatory practices in the selective payment of retention allowances to only a few cadres of health workers, warning that such policies deepen inequality within the system and contribute to the mass migration of health professionals from the state.
JOHESU urged the Lagos State government to urgently intervene, demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving the dispute, and implement previously agreed resolutions without further delay.
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