National News – Tensions are rising in Plateau State as health workers issue a seven-day ultimatum to the government over unresolved salary and welfare disputes, threatening a strike that could disrupt medical services across the state.
The warning was issued by resident doctors and medical practitioners under two bodies, who accuse the administration of Caleb Mutfwang of failing to implement agreed pay structures.
The demand centres on full compliance with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and payment of outstanding allowances.
The ultimatum, delivered through formal letters dated mid-April 2026, follows months of stalled negotiations.
Doctors say their initial request for salary adjustments, submitted in December 2025, has received no concrete response.
As a result, many professionals have reportedly left the state, worsening an already strained healthcare system. Local reaction reflects growing anxiety.
Residents in Jos and surrounding communities fear that a strike would leave hospitals understaffed, forcing patients to seek expensive private care or travel long distances.
Some civil society voices have urged the government to act quickly, warning that healthcare disruptions could escalate existing public health challenges.
From the workers’ perspective, the issue goes beyond pay.
They argue that poor remuneration affects morale, retention, and ultimately the quality of care delivered to patients.
For the government, however, fiscal constraints and competing priorities may be delaying implementation.
If no agreement is reached within the seven-day window, doctors have vowed to withdraw services, a move that could cripple emergency and routine care.
The situation highlights broader systemic issues in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, where disputes over wages and working conditions frequently trigger industrial actions.
The coming days will be critical, as both sides face pressure to negotiate a resolution that avoids a full-blown strike and protects access to healthcare for residents.
