Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, University College Hospital, Ibadan chapter, have been encouraged to remain resolute in the face of any form of intimidation.

UCH JOHESU chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, stated this during the union’s peaceful protest, staged within the hospital facility on Friday.

The UCH’s chapter of JOHESU members have been on strike, declared by its national body, since November 17, 2025.

The union is demanding an upward adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Scale as approved for the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since 2014.

During Friday’s protest, Olabampe reiterated that the ongoing strike would continue until a favourable response is obtained from the federal government.

Remarking that picketing is part of the union’s lawful activities, he urged the members to stand resolute and not allow any form of intimidation.

“All we want is for the government to adjust the CONHESS as it did to CONMESS. So, be steadfast because no amount of victimisation can jeopardise this struggle.

“The physicians are working, but they cannot do the work alone because a tree cannot make a forest, and that’s why the hospital has turned into a ghost place.

“We also appeal to the masses to hold the FG and Federal Ministry of Health responsible for them to do the needful,” he said.

Also, Sunday Adetula, national vice-president of the Medical and Health Worker Union, South-West, called on all chief medical directors to ensure the non-implementation of the “no work, no pay” circular.

“We are using this medium to tell the CMDs, the strike is not your strike; we are fighting for our rights. If our members are not paid January salaries, another challenge will emerge.

“We will occupy all tertiary health institutions in the South-West by February, and peace will not be guaranteed in the health sector,” Mr Adetula said.

The protest train moved from the hospital’s Health Insurance Department to different areas of the facility, including the main gate.

They expressed grievances about the latest developments from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, especially on the newly released “no work, no pay” circular.

They, in turn, displayed different placards with inscriptions such as “No CONHESS adjustment, no work”.

(NAN)