By Ismaeel Aleem
Health workers in Kaduna State erupted in jubilation yesterday after Governor Uba Sani approved the 2024 Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and hazard allowance, set to take effect in September 2025.
The announcement, described as a major victory for the state’s medical workforce, was confirmed during a press briefing by Ishaku Yakubu, Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Kaduna State chapter.
Yakubu called the approval “long overdue”, marking a significant milestone for health workers who have endured years of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
READ ALSO: Kaduna Police probe violent political meeting linked to El-Rufai
“This is quite commendable and timely because it is something we have been struggling to achieve for about three to four years,” he said, recalling past struggles that led to warning strikes and indefinite industrial action under the previous administration.
The new salary structure and hazard allowance are expected to boost morale, improve service delivery in public health facilities, and address longstanding grievances in the sector.
For years, health workers, including nurses, midwives, and allied professionals, protested against poor welfare conditions, unpaid entitlements, and inadequate hazard pay, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when frontline staff faced heightened risks.
Strikes paralysed hospitals as workers demanded the implementation of CONHESS and better compensation, with some actions leading to mass dismissals under the previous government.
Yakubu praised Sani for showing “political will” in resolving these issues and urged the government to ensure prompt payment and sustained implementation.
Stakeholders view the approval as a policy shift that signals a stronger commitment to labour relations and reducing brain drain in Kaduna’s health sector.
READ ALSO: Shehu Sani blames past Northern leaders for region’s crisis
The decision has been hailed as a step towards restoring confidence among health professionals and strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery system.
Sani’s administration is now being lauded for prioritising the welfare of health workers – a critical move towards building a more resilient and motivated workforce in the state.
