Health workers in Imo State, organized under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, have announced plans for an indefinite strike, citing the state government’s persistent failure to address their welfare concerns. The decision, revealed in a statement signed by State Chairman Comrade Uche Okafor, follows the collapse of multiple negotiation attempts with Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration.
The unions state that a 21-day ultimatum issued on November 12, 2025, expired on December 3, without meaningful government engagement, forcing them to adopt the strike as a last resort. Central to their grievance is the alleged inconsistent application of salary structures on the state payroll portal. They assert that designations such as HWSS, CSS, and HAPSS do not align with the federally approved Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), resulting in stagnation, unjustifiable pay reductions, and severe financial hardship for workers.
The statement demands the immediate, unconditional, and non-discriminatory restoration and full implementation of CONHESS for all state health workers. Specific financial requests include the payment of arrears from September 2025, alongside specialist, call duty, clinical duty, teaching, hazard, and rural posting allowances where applicable. The unions also seek the harmonization and financial implementation of promotion benefits for Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) staff, protesting the “notional placement” of some officers while peers receive full benefits.
Workers accuse the administration of undermining the intent of national salary directives through selective implementation, a practice they say has eroded morale and living standards. The upcoming strike is poised to paralyze healthcare delivery across the state, highlighting the deep-seated conflict over public sector remuneration. This industrial action underscores the urgent pressure on the Imo State government to resolve the pay dispute and prevent a total shutdown of its health services.
