The nearly three-month-old industrial action that paralyzed public health facilities across Lagos State has been suspended following a decisive intervention by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The 78-day strike, which saw members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) withdraw their services, came to an end after a high-stakes mediation led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.
The resolution followed a directive from the Speaker to the House Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care, chaired by Hon. Lawal Aina Musibau, to broker a peace deal between the union leaders and executive officials.
The resulting meeting, held at the Assembly Complex, brought together a powerful coalition of stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Health.
Discussions during the session focused on a complex array of grievances, ranging from salary adjustments and career progression to broader welfare concerns that have long strained the relationship between the state and its health workers.
Hon. Lawal Musibau emphasized the catastrophic disruption the strike had caused to the state’s healthcare delivery, noting that the primary victims were the residents who depend exclusively on government-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
During the deliberations, Hon. Olumoh Sa’ad Lukmon assured the union leadership that the state government is prepared to address their demands within the constraints of existing budgetary provisions.
He clarified that while certain matters currently before the courts would be handled through due process, the government’s intent is focused on immediate resolution.
In response, the government representatives acknowledged the immense pressure placed on the healthcare system and pledged to negotiate in good faith once workers returned to their posts.
The leadership of JOHESU, while agreeing to the suspension, maintained that their actions were a last resort born of professional necessity. They secured commitments for written guarantees and explicit assurances against the victimization of any member who participated in the strike.
This legislative intervention is seen as a critical victory for industrial harmony in Lagos. With the strike now suspended, public hospitals across the state are expected to begin a phased reopening, restoring vital medical services to millions of residents who have faced limited access to healthcare since the dispute began.