Health
Striking health workers insist on salary adjustment
Striking health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions have insisted that only the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure will end their ongoing industrial action, as efforts by the Federal Government to resolve the dispute remain stalled.
The strike, which entered its 82nd day on Wednesday, has paralysed activities in government-owned hospitals across the country, leaving patients stranded and forcing many to seek essential medical services outside public health facilities.
JOHESU, which represents health professionals in pharmacies, laboratories and other support departments, has maintained that the action will continue until the Federal Government implements the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of CONHESS, submitted since 2021.
The protracted strike has also triggered a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in solidarity with the health workers.
The ultimatum, which expires on Friday, February 6, 2026, warned that other affiliate unions could join the action if the government fails to resolve what labour describes as the “maltreatment” of health workers.
In a joint statement by the Secretary-General of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and the acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, the labour centres accused the Federal Government of deliberately refusing to implement the salary adjustment despite repeated engagements.
They rejected what they described as “the persistent and deliberate provocative refusal of the Federal Government to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.”
According to the unions, the continued delay “is no longer an administrative lapse but a conscious act of injustice, bad faith and institutional disrespect to health workers and organised labour.”
“It is, therefore, unacceptable and a blatant provocation that while the government had no difficulty implementing the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure with effect from January 2, 2014, the same government has wilfully refused to implement the same for CONHESS,” the statement read.
Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja on the state of negotiations, the National President of JOHESU, Kabiru Minjibir, said discussions with the government remain deadlocked.
“Negotiations are still deadlocked, and the strike continues. NLC and TUC’s 14-day ultimatum to the government to resolve the issue or have other affiliate unions join in solidarity expires on Friday,” Minjibir said.
He stressed that the union’s demands remain singular and clear.
“We are on strike because of one single demand, which is CONHESS adjustment, as done for the sister scale, CONMESS, in 2014. So, if the government does the needful, we will surely suspend the strike,” he added.
Asked whether the Federal Government had reached out to the union ahead of the ultimatum deadline, Minjibir said, “We have yet to receive any invitation from the government.”
Efforts to get an official response from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare were unsuccessful.
When contacted, the Director of Press at the ministry, Alaba Balogun, said he would revert to our correspondent but had yet to do so as of press time.
The strike is coming at a critical time for the country’s public health system, as cases of Lassa fever continue to rise.
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control show that more than 90 cases and 17 deaths were recorded nationwide in the first three weeks of 2026 alone, raising concerns about the impact of the prolonged shutdown of key services in public hospitals.
Health experts have warned that breast cancer cases among women worldwide could increase significantly in the coming decades if stronger prevention and early detection measures are not implemented.
According to recent global health research, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year is expected to rise by about one-third by the year 2050. The projections indicate that annual cases could increase from roughly 2.3 million cases recorded in 2023 to about 3.5 million cases by mid-century.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally, and the rising numbers highlight the growing burden the disease may place on healthcare systems around the world.
In addition to the projected rise in new cases, the number of breast cancer-related deaths is also expected to increase significantly. Experts estimate that annual deaths could grow from around 764,000 currently to nearly 1.4 million by 2050, representing an increase of about 44 percent.
Impact Expected to Be Greater in Developing Countries
Although breast cancer affects women in all parts of the world, researchers say the projected increase will likely have a more severe impact on low- and middle-income countries.
Many of these countries face major challenges in providing adequate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment services. Limited access to modern healthcare facilities often leads to late detection of the disease, which reduces the chances of successful treatment.
In contrast, wealthier nations generally have better screening programmes, improved medical technology, and greater access to specialised treatment. This allows many cases to be detected earlier, increasing survival rates.
Health experts warn that without major improvements in healthcare systems in developing regions, the gap in survival rates between high-income and low-income countries could continue to widen.
Lifestyle Factors Linked to Breast Cancer
The study also highlights the role of lifestyle choices and health conditions that can increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers estimate that about 28 percent of breast cancer cases globally are linked to several modifiable risk factors. These include unhealthy lifestyle habits and certain medical conditions that may be preventable.
Some of the key risk factors identified include excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, high blood sugar levels, low physical activity, and high intake of red meat.
Health professionals say that addressing these factors through public education, improved nutrition, and healthier lifestyle choices could help reduce the number of future breast cancer cases.
Rising Cases Among Younger Women
Another concern raised by researchers is the increasing number of breast cancer diagnoses among younger women, particularly those between the ages of 20 and 54.
Although breast cancer is still more common among women aged 55 and above, experts say cases among younger women have been gradually rising over the years. Changes in lifestyle, environmental factors, and reproductive patterns are believed to contribute to this trend.
Call for Stronger Global Action
Medical experts are calling for greater global efforts to combat breast cancer, including expanded screening programmes, improved access to treatment, and stronger public health campaigns focused on prevention.
They stress that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to reduce deaths from breast cancer. When the disease is identified early, treatment options are often more successful and survival rates are significantly higher.
Researchers also emphasize the need for governments and health institutions to invest more in cancer care infrastructure, especially in countries where access to healthcare services remains limited.
With the number of cases expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, experts say coordinated global action will be essential to reduce the future impact of breast cancer and protect the health of millions of women worldwide.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has announced that Nigeria will take delivery of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug that has shown 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection in clinical trials.
A short statement released by the Head of Public Relations, NACA, Toyin Aderibigbe, on Monday said the agency has secured regulatory approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Lenacapavir is an injectable treatment administered twice a year, making it a more convenient alternative to daily oral prevention drugs.
The drug is expected to be available in Nigeria and 119 other low- and middle-income countries at an affordable price of $40 per person annually, thanks to voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers.
“The Government of Nigeria is advancing preparations for the introduction and rollout of Lenacapavir as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
“This is part of the government’s commitment to strengthen HIV prevention and accelerate progress toward epidemic control,” the statement read.
NACA listed some significant milestones achieved, including completion of landscape and readiness assessments across ten states: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos, alongside regulatory approval by NAFDAC.
“The commodities are expected in the country in March 2026,” NACA noted.
Nigeria has approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV, with a national prevalence of 1.3% among adults aged 15-49 years.
The country recorded 74,000 new HIV infections and 51,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2021.
The South-South zone has the highest HIV prevalence at 3.1%, while women aged 15-49 years are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV as men.
Over N3 billion worth of illegal cosmetics has been discovered in a warehouse at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.
According to the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC, the warehouse, concealed in an uncompleted building, was discovered during an enforcement operation.
Items recovered from the facility include 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap, and Extract Gold whitening soap, all of which are products banned by the Federal Government.
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NAFDAC also said that other items found in the warehouse are assorted perfumes, body oils and cooking oils which have been placed on hold for further regulatory assessment.
“All seized products have been evacuated to prevent distribution,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC disclosed that the manager of the warehouse has been invited for further investigation as enforcement actions continue.
The agency warned that the sale and usage of banned, fake and illegal cosmetics products pose serious health risks to consumers.
NAFDAC further advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the agency’s nearest office, stressing the importance of public corporation in curbing the circulation of unsafe products.
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