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.
The breakthrough came after the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa mandated the House Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care chaired by Hon. Lawal Aina Musibau to interface with representatives of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and relevant government officials to resolve the lingering dispute.
The high-level meeting, convened at the Assembly Conference room, had in attendance members of the Legislature, The Commissioner for Establishment and Training, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, representatives of the Ministry of Health and leaders of the affected Unions.
Deliberations centered on outstanding demands relating to welfare, salary adjustments, career progression, and other sector-specific concerns.
Hon. Lawal Musibau acknowledged the disruption the strike had caused across public health facilities and stressed the urgent need to safeguard the wellbeing of residents who rely heavily on government-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
Speaking at the meeting, a Member of the Committee, Hon. Olumoh Sa’ad Lukmon assured union leaders that the government was committed to addressing their demands within the framework of the law and existing budgetary provisions.
He noted that some issues were already receiving attention, particularly those before the court, they would be handled in line with due process.
Government representatives noted the strain the prolonged strike had placed on the healthcare system and reiterated their readiness to continue negotiations in good faith once normal services resumed.
The Union leaders maintained that their action was driven by longstanding welfare and professional concerns and sought concrete assurances, including written commitments and guarantees against victimisation.
Following extensive deliberations and mutual assurances from both the Legislative and Executive arms of government, the Unions agreed to suspend the strike to allow negotiations to continue.
The Speaker was commended for providing the leadership that facilitated constructive engagement between the parties, a move widely seen as instrumental in restoring industrial harmony in the State’s health sector.
The suspension of the strike is expected to lead to the reopening of public hospitals across Lagos State, bringing relief to residents after weeks of limited access to healthcare services.
