The Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, have called on the Zamfara State Government to immediately pay their six-month salary arrears from the adjusted CONHESS or face potential industrial action.

During a briefing with journalists, they outlined the arrears, which span from June to November 2024, and raised concerns over pending promotions that need to be implemented.

The Branch Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Unions, Sani Rabi’u,  emphasized that the union is also demanding the proper implementation of allowances, including status, call-to-duty, and hazard allowances, based on the minimum wage of 30,000 Naira.

The unions highlighted discrepancies in the payment of salaries for October and November 2024, which included grade reductions, step reductions, and incorrect salary scale placements.

Rabi’u urged the state government to ensure the accurate implementation of allowances, such as status, call-to-duty, and hazard allowances, in line with the CONHESS adjustment based on a 30,000 Naira minimum wage, as recommended by the Health Commissioner’s committee.

Additionally, the union called for the revival of the hospital’s autonomy, the immediate establishment of a Hospital Governing Board as outlined in the Hospital Gazette, and the correction of salary structures for some staff members, specifically those moved from HARPS to CONHESS, including adjustments to grade levels and steps for the affected employees.

They also demanded the payment of six months’ arrears (June to November 2024) from the adjusted CONHESS and the implementation of pending promotions. The union expressed hope that the state government would address these issues before the December 2024 salary payment to prevent industrial action.

Finally, the union expressed appreciation to Governor Dauda Lawal for the remodeling and equipping of the state’s Specialist Hospital in preparation for its upgrade to a State Teaching Hospital.