The Tertiary Health Institutions National Consultative Forum (THINCF) recently convened its 48th Regular Meeting at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. The National Chairman of THINCF emphasized the need to address leadership knowledge gaps among branch leaders, citing inadequate understanding of the union's constitution, branch administration, and workers' rights as a pressing challenge. He called for intensified training and orientation for branch executives to enhance their understanding of union procedures and responsibilities.
The THINCF chairman highlighted the forum's significance as a critical platform for consultation and collective action on welfare issues affecting workers in tertiary health institutions. He appealed to the national leadership to ensure strict compliance with the constitutional provision for two regular THINCF meetings annually. Regular meetings, he noted, would strengthen institutional memory, coordination, and collective action. The chairman also urged State Councils to adhere to due process in conducting branch elections and resolving disputes.
The National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade (Dr) Kabiru Ado Sani Minjibir, charged branch chairmen and secretaries with monitoring the implementation of collective bargaining agreements. He emphasized the need for proper remittance of check-off dues and defending members against injustice. Minjibir described the meeting's theme, "Strengthening Trade Unionism: Panacea for Effective Leadership in a Changing Economy," as timely, given the challenges of inflation, brain drain, and rising workloads in the health sector.
Minjibir commended members for their resilience during the 84-day strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which began on November 15, 2025. He noted that the action demonstrated the discipline and unity of health workers. While some agreements, including the CONHESS salary adjustment, remain unresolved, Minjibir stated that progress recorded after the strike surpassed achievements of the previous decade. Negotiations on collective bargaining agreements have resumed.
The MHWUN president disclosed that JOHESU would convene meetings of its organs, including an expanded National Executive Council, to take further decisions on outstanding issues. He called on the Ministries of Labour, Health, and Finance, as well as other stakeholders, to conclude action on JOHESU's major demands to prevent another disruption of health services. Minjibir assured members facing membership retention challenges that the national leadership is working with the THINCF leadership to sustain unity within JOHESU.
The THINCF chairman also cautioned members against insults, personal attacks, and the circulation of unverified information on social media. He urged them to use the platforms to promote unity within the union. The meeting's theme reflects the need for health workers to adapt to the changing economy and strengthen their trade unionism. The forum provides a critical platform for health workers to address challenges and push for improved welfare.
The health workers' unions are taking steps to address leadership gaps and push for compliance with collective bargaining agreements. The THINCF meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and strategize on ways to strengthen trade unionism. Key issues, including leadership knowledge gaps, compliance with collective agreements, and unity within the union, were emphasized.
Key points
- Health workers' unions address leadership knowledge gaps among branch leaders.
- Unions push for compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
- The Tertiary Health Institutions National Consultative Forum provides a critical platform for consultation and collective action.
