BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

Health services across Katsina State are expected to return to normal after the Assembly of Health Care Professionals suspended its seven-day warning strike following fresh commitments by Governor Dikko Radda to resolve outstanding welfare concerns.

The association announced the suspension on Sunday, October 18, after reaching an understanding with the state government on the need to reopen negotiations over salary structure implementation, professional allowances and other entitlements affecting healthcare workers.

In a statement issued in Katsina, the assembly’s chairman, Ibrahim-Balange, said the decision followed a meeting with Radda on October 16, during which the government pledged to address the issues that triggered the industrial action.

As part of the agreement, the government committed to reopening discussions through a Technical Roundtable and conducting a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in line with existing circulars.

The review is expected to cover outstanding professional allowances, including hazard, call duty and shift duty payments, as well as other entitlements tied to the salary structure.

Balange also disclosed that the government had agreed to resolve the CONHESS 10 skipping issue affecting qualified officers in accordance with the applicable Scheme of Service.

To ensure that the outstanding demands receive attention, the government will establish a Joint Technical Committee with clearly defined responsibilities and a timeline for resolving the issues.

Following its assessment of the government's commitments, the assembly unanimously approved the suspension of the strike and directed members to resume full clinical and administrative duties across health facilities from October 18.

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The chairman expressed appreciation to members for their cooperation, resilience and solidarity during the industrial action, while commending Radda for intervening in the dispute.

He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the welfare and professional interests of its members, stressing the importance of continued engagement with the government to achieve lasting solutions.

The suspension is expected to ease disruptions in public health facilities and improve access to medical services for residents who may have been affected by the strike.

However, the resolution of the dispute will depend on how quickly the government and the association translate their commitments into concrete action, particularly regarding salary structure implementation and payment of outstanding allowances.

The assembly had announced the warning strike on October 14 after disagreements over CONHESS implementation and professional allowances remained unresolved.

With members now expected to return to work, the focus shifts to the planned negotiations and the proposed joint committee tasked with addressing the healthcare professionals’ outstanding demands.