The Joint Health Sector Unions has suspended its 84-day nationwide strike that disrupted services in public hospitals across the country.
The National President of JOHESU, Kabir Minjibir, confirmed the development on Friday, simply stating that the industrial action had been called off.
The suspension followed a last-minute intervention by the Federal Ministry of Labour on Thursday night, which paved the way for renewed engagement between the unions and the Federal Government.
The strike, which entered its 84th day on Friday, had crippled activities in government-owned health facilities, forcing many patients to seek care in private hospitals or go without medical attention.
JOHESU, which comprises health professionals in pharmacy, laboratory and other allied services, had insisted that the strike would persist until the Federal Government implemented the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure submitted since 2021.
The prolonged industrial action also prompted the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to issue a 14-day ultimatum in solidarity with the striking health workers.
With the suspension of the strike, patients and hospital managers are hopeful that normal services will gradually resume across public health institutions nationwide.