Lagos Assembly broker peace as health workers suspend 78-day strike
The 78-day industrial action embarked upon by health workers in Lagos State has been suspended following the intervention of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
The breakthrough came after the Speaker directed the House Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care, chaired by Hon. Lawal Aina Musibau, to meet with representatives of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and relevant government officials to resolve the dispute.
The high-level meeting, held at the Assembly complex, was attended by lawmakers, the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi; officials of the Ministry of Health; and union leaders.
Discussions centred on outstanding demands involving welfare, salary adjustments, career progression and other sector-specific concerns raised by the health workers.
Hon. Musibau acknowledged the disruption the strike had caused in public health facilities and stressed the need to protect residents who depend on government hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
A committee member Hon. Femi Saheed, assured the unions that the government was committed to addressing their demands within legal and budgetary limits, adding that matters already before the court would follow due process.
Government representatives admitted the strain the prolonged strike had placed on the healthcare system and pledged to continue negotiations in good faith once services fully resume, while union leaders insisted on written assurances and protection against victimisation.
After extensive deliberations and mutual assurances from both the legislative and executive arms of government, the unions agreed to suspend the strike, a move expected to restore normal operations in public hospitals across Lagos State.
