Healthcare services across Katsina State may face significant disruption as the Assembly of Health Care Professionals has announced plans to embark on a seven-day warning strike beginning from midnight on September 8 over unresolved welfare and professional demands.

The decision was contained in a notice jointly signed on Tuesday by the Assembly Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Balange, alongside the chairmen and secretaries of affiliated health sector unions in the state.

The unions include the Health Workers Union of Nigeria (HWUN), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).

The notice, addressed to the Katsina State Head of Service, came after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government on August 11, demanding action on issues affecting health workers.

According to Balange, the ultimatum elapsed without any meaningful commitment from the government toward addressing the unions’ longstanding grievances, prompting members to unanimously approve the industrial action.

He stated that the warning strike would commence at exactly 12:00 a.m. on September 8 and run for seven days.

The labour leader warned that the action could escalate into an indefinite strike if the government fails to meet the unions’ demands before the warning strike ends.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, over the years that we have been on this struggle, the state government has never demonstrated any form of seriousness on our long overdue legitimate demands, despite admitting the justification of our cries,” Balange said.

He noted that the assembly had repeatedly engaged relevant authorities and explored all available channels for dialogue and peaceful resolution but had seen little progress.

Balange appealed to residents of the state to bear with health workers during the planned action, insisting that the unions had been left with no alternative after years of unfulfilled promises.

He also urged the public to hold the government accountable for any inconvenience that may arise from the strike, stressing that the workers’ demands are legitimate and aimed at improving the healthcare system and the welfare of professionals within it.

The planned industrial action raises concerns about possible disruptions to healthcare delivery across public hospitals and health facilities in the state if negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough before the September 8 deadline.