By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Anambra State Council, has joined millions of workers across the globe to commemorate the 2026 Workers’ Day, celebrating the resilience and sacrifices of its members while renewing its demand for fairness, equity, and full implementation of welfare policies in the state’s health sector.
The celebration saw members of MHWUN join other labour unions to mark the day in a special event held on Friday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital, where they were specially recognized and hailed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo for their colourful turnout, coordinated march past, and electrifying display that underscored their unity, discipline, and professional pride.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the occasion, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Johnbosco Ementa, extolled medical and health workers in Anambra for their commitment to service, noting that despite difficult working conditions, inadequate equipment, and delayed entitlements, they have continued to hold the healthcare system together and save lives across communities.
The MHWUN State Chairman described health workers as the backbone of the state’s healthcare delivery system, spanning primary healthcare centres, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and tertiary institutions. He lauded the Governor Soludo-led Anambra State Government for its visible investments in the health sector, particularly in the areas of hospital infrastructure upgrade, strengthening of primary healthcare services, recruitment of critical manpower, and the ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the sector for optimal service delivery.
According to him, the administration’s efforts in improving security across the state have also significantly enhanced access to healthcare services, especially in rural and previously vulnerable communities, where health workers can now carry out their duties with reduced fear and increased efficiency. He further hailed the Governor for his proactive leadership style, responsiveness to labour concerns, commitment to workers’ welfare, and the broader vision of building a sustainable and people-oriented healthcare system in Anambra State.
While celebrating its members, the Comrade reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to continue advocating improved welfare packages, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, better working environments, and faithful implementation of all agreements reached with the government.
The Union, however, drew the Governor’s attention to a lingering issue it described as deeply troubling, which is the exclusion of some categories of its members from the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in Anambra State.
According to the MHWUN Chairman, although Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo had approved 100 percent implementation of CONHESS, the exercise was selectively applied, leaving out some cadres of health workers who are bona fide members of the Union and statutorily entitled to benefit from the scheme.
The Union insisted that such partial implementation contradicts established federal circulars and guidelines governing CONHESS, including provisions of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which clearly stipulate that all health professionals under the Health Salary Structure are entitled to the scheme without discrimination.
MHWUN State Chairman further stressed that Anambra State had previously implemented the salary structure across the board up to 60 percent without exclusion, thereby making the current selective application not only inconsistent but also unjustifiable.
Referencing an earlier letter written to the Governor on March 9th, 2026, captioned “Protest Against the Exclusion of Some MHWUN Members from the 100% Implementation of CONHESS in Anambra State”, Hon. Ementa observed that the continued exclusion of some categories of health workers is capable of breeding discontent, undermining morale, and threatening industrial harmony within the sector.
The Union Leader therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional extension of the 100 percent CONHESS implementation to all affected members, while comradely urging the state government under Governor Soludo to urgently correct what it described as an anomaly, possibly arising from administrative oversight rather than deliberate policy.
Further buttressing its position, the MHWUN State Chairman pointed out that all states in the South-East geopolitical zone are already implementing 100 percent CONHESS for all categories of health workers without exclusion, stressing that Anambra should not lag behind or create disparities within the region.
The Union also emphasized its status as the largest health union in Africa, Nigeria, and Anambra State, noting that its members play indispensable roles in sustaining healthcare delivery, from patient admission and clinical support services to diagnostics, records management, sanitation, and facility maintenance, ensuring that every patient receives timely and quality care. He, therefore, reiterated that the members deserve equitable treatment in all welfare policies.
While acknowledging the ongoing engagement between the state government and labour, MHWUN commended the administration for its openness to dialogue but urged it to expedite action on all outstanding issues affecting health workers.
The 2026 May Day celebration, Comrade Ementa noted, was spectacular and also provided a broader platform for Organized Labour in the state, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, to reflect on the state of workers and present critical demands to the government.
Earlier in an address presented at the event, the Organized Labour said this year’s theme of the celebration, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work”, is a clear reflection of the harsh realities confronting workers across Nigeria.
The Organized Labour hinted that insecurity continues to disrupt productivity, discourage investment, and weaken economic stability, while poverty erodes dignity, reduces purchasing power, and forces many workers into survival mode rather than productivity.
The Union Leader, however, commended the Soludo Administration for strides in security and infrastructure development, prudent financial management, as well as its vision of transforming Anambra into a livable, prosperous and economically vibrant homeland.
Despite the commendation, Labour Leaders presented a wide range of demands requiring urgent government attention, including the review of the Contributory Pension Scheme, payment of outstanding allowances, and harmonization of pensions.
They also reiterated call for the full implementation of CONHESS for all eligible health workers, payment of peculiar allowances across sectors, and resolution of lingering issues affecting unions such as NASU, JUSUN, and parliamentary staff.
Other demands include mass recruitment to address manpower shortages, approval of pending promotions, revitalization of staff transportation systems, and accelerated workers’ housing schemes.
Labour leaders further raised concerns about the deplorable working conditions in government offices, particularly at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, where many buildings reportedly lack electricity, water supply, and proper ventilation.
They lamented that workers are sometimes forced to process official documents in public business centres due to power outages, thereby exposing sensitive government information and undermining efficiency.
The issue of salary deductions linked to absenteeism enforcement also came under scrutiny, with labour accusing relevant authorities of excessive and irregular deductions, even affecting workers who were physically present at duty posts.
They also called for an immediate review of the process, refund of wrongful deductions, and adoption of fair and transparent mechanisms consistent with labour standards.
For MHWUN, the convergence of these issues highlights the urgent need for sustained dialogue, fairness, and inclusive policy implementation in the interest of workers and the overall development of the state.
The Union further urged its members to remain united, disciplined, and resolute, reiterating that it would continue to defend their rights and dignity while pushing for a health sector that works not only for the workforce but also for the people they serve.
