A healthcare stakeholder, Mr Shem Adah, says recent industrial actions by health unions in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have created opportunities for healthcare system reforms.
Adah said this on Sunday that repeated strikes by the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and others disrupted healthcare services across the FCT.
He said the industrial actions further strained a fragile system already challenged by inadequate funding, manpower shortages and weak infrastructure.
He said the strike period highlighted the need for stronger contingency planning, sustainable workforce development and improved health financing to prevent service disruptions during industrial disputes.
Adah commended the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) for implementing emergency measures to ensure continued access to healthcare during the industrial action.
He said the Secretariat’s leadership, under Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, working with the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, led by Dr Kelechi Ohiri, took timely steps to mitigate the strike’s impact.
According to him, inter-agency meetings and emergency interventions provided alternative referral points and financial access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable residents.
Adah said the response underscored the importance of coordination between health authorities and regulatory agencies in managing crises within the healthcare system.
He stressed the need to institutionalise emergency response frameworks to reduce the impact of future industrial actions.
Adah called for an urgent manpower overhaul and increased investment in sustainable healthcare infrastructure across the FCT.
He said clear policy strategies should be developed to enable swift intervention whenever industrial disputes become unavoidable.
The stakeholder urged the FCT Administration to prioritise healthcare infrastructure, funding and manpower development within its governance agenda.
He said strengthening the FCT healthcare system would support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and improve access to quality care for residents and visitors.
“I call for stronger collaboration among public and private sector actors, alongside improved engagement with trade unions.
“While unions are vital dialogue platforms, industrial disputes should not expose citizens to life-threatening healthcare disruptions,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that JOHESU recently suspended its nationwide strike after 84 days of industrial action.
Recall that the strike was suspended following an expanded emergency meeting of its National Executive Council, NEC, held in Abuja on Friday.
Strike by health unions provided reform opportunities — Health Advocate, Adah
