Nigeria’s public health system has entered one of its most crippling moments in recent years as the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) maintains its indefinite nationwide strike, following two failed conciliation meetings with the federal government.
The industrial action, which began at midnight on November 14, has left hospitals across the country deserted, primary healthcare centres abandoned, and critical services grounded.
A visit to Ogudu Primary Healthcare Centre in Lagos captures the magnitude of the disruption. The usually busy facility was completely empty with no staff, no patients and no activity. “I was confused at first, wondering why. That was when I realised JOHESU had not called off its strike,” a resident told BusinessDay