Katsina health workers suspend seven-day warning strike
The Assembly of Health Care Professionals in Katsina State has suspended its seven-day warning strike following commitments from Governor Dikko Radda to address the workers’ demands.
Ibrahim Balange, chairman of the assembly, made the announcement in a statement issued in Katsina on Sunday. The strike suspension became effective at midnight on October 18, after a meeting between association representatives and Governor Radda on October 16.
Balange stated that the decision to suspend the strike was based on the state government’s pledge to reopen negotiations regarding the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and to review professional allowances. He reported that the government also agreed to form a Joint Technical Committee to address outstanding issues affecting health professionals.
The forthcoming review will focus on allowances related to hazards, on-call duties, and shift duties, among other entitlements under CONHESS, Balange noted. Additionally, the government has committed to addressing the CONHESS 10 skipping issue for qualified officers, in accordance with the Scheme of Service.
Balange emphasized that the committee would operate with clear terms of reference and a timeline for resolving the outstanding demands. Following the suspension of the strike, he instructed association members to resume full clinical and administrative services across health facilities in the state starting October 18.
The Assembly of Health Care Professionals had initially initiated the warning strike on October 14 due to unresolved issues regarding the implementation of salary structures and professional allowances.
