The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, announced the suspension of the 78 day strike embarked on by health workers in Lagos following the intervention of members of Legislature.

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The assembly, in a statement, said, “The 78-day industrial action embarked upon by health workers in Lagos State has been suspended following the intervention of the Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

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‎”The breakthrough came after the Speaker mandated the House Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care chaired by Hon. Lawal Aina Musibau to interface with representatives of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and relevant government officials to resolve the lingering dispute.”

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‎It noted that a high level meeting at the Assembly Conference room which had in attendance members of the legislature, commissioner for establishment and training, special adviser to the governor on health, representatives of the ministry of health and leaders of the affected unions, centred on outstanding demands relating to welfare, salary adjustments, career progression of health care professionals.

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‎”The Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care, Hon Lawal Aina Musibau acknowledged the disruption the strike had caused across public health facilities and stressed the urgent need to safeguard the wellbeing of residents who rely heavily on government-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centres,” the statement read. 

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A member of the committee, Hon. Olumoh Sa’ad Lukmon, assured union leaders that the government was committed to addressing their demands within the framework of the law and existing budgetary provisions.

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‎Mr Sa’ad stressed that some of the issues, particularly those currently before the courts, would be handled in line with due process.

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‎According to the statement, with the suspension of the strike, public hospitals and primary healthcare centres across Lagos are expected to reopen fully.