JOHESU Strike: FG Orders Hospitals to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’, Sustain Emergency Services

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) participating in the ongoing strike.

The directive is contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the circular was addressed to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions.

The circular, dated January 8, was signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

It stated that the decision followed the continuation of the JOHESU strike, which began on November 14, 2025.

The ministry directed hospital managements to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy, noting that the measure takes effect from January 2026.

The directive applies to all striking JOHESU members, as well as any other category of staff who may embark on industrial action.

In addition, health institutions were instructed to sustain critical services, including accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units, through all lawful means. This includes the engagement of locum staff where necessary.

The circular also directed that staff willing to continue working must be allowed to do so without hindrance or intimidation.

Hospital authorities were further instructed to ensure the security of lives and property within their facilities and to provide regular updates to the ministry on the impact of the strike on service delivery.

The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to maintaining essential healthcare services nationwide despite the industrial action.

Meanwhile, a public health expert, Dr Gabriel Adakole, said the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy was legally backed and aimed at ending the strike.

However, Adakole warned that the policy could have serious implications for Nigeria’s fragile health system, noting that JOHESU members, including nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists, play a critical role in hospital operations.

He said their absence weakens service delivery even when emergency units remain open, adding that emergency-only care cannot replace full multidisciplinary healthcare.

According to him, the policy could also place financial pressure on health workers, worsen morale and accelerate brain drain in the health sector.

Adakole added that patients were likely to bear the greatest burden through delayed treatment and reduced access to care, stressing that lasting stability in the health sector requires dialogue, trust-building and sustained investment in health workers and infrastructure.