Zamfara health workers mobilized to embark on seven days strike as cholera hits many communities.

From A. A. Chakwa Gusau

Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) Zamfara State Council directed its various branches to
mobilizes health workers from dispensaries, Primary Health Centres, General Hospitals and Specialist Hospital to embark on a 7 days warning strike to begin today’s midnight.

The directive was issued to the union branches in the state by the state public relations officer Shamsudeen Sadeeq.

“We calling on our Union Executives at various branches to mobilize our members from Dispensaries, Primary Health Centres, General Hospitals and Specialist Hospital to Embark on a seven days warning Strike by 12 midnight of Wednesday. Sadeeq said.

Earlier the Union issued fifteen (15) days of ultimatum to the state government to address their grievances.

The health unions/ associations working in the state health sector also accused the state commissioner for health Dr. Nafisa Muhammad Maradun for being selective, partial, and biased in the Implementation of hundred percent salary increments as promised by Governor Dauda Lawal.

“The union shows dismayed over action and leadership style of Commissioner for Health for being selective, partial, and biased for selecting only medical Doctors to implement their Salary to 100% CONMESS. Sadeeq said.

Several meetings were held with the state Head of Service and Commissioner for health and security on separate occasions but did not yield any positive results.

“On Thursday, 28th August we held a meeting with Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Health while On Tuesday 2nd September 2025 with State Head of Service and with the State Commissioner of police and the State Head of Service on Thursday, 4th September 2025, all didn’t yield any results. Sadeeq lamented.

The union further warned that disregarding the union ultimatum to address their grievances will led to indefinate strike.

“Failure to address our issues, will lead to decide on indefinite strike. Sadeeq stated

The union also assigned a joint task force that would go round to the state Government owned health centers to ensure full compliance of the union directives.

This action comes at a time when many communities in the state are suffering from the Cholera outbreak.

According to recent updates, over 1,500 suspected cases have been recorded in few weeks, primarily in hotspot areas such as Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Talata Mafara affecting 11 rural communities, including Nasarawa-Burkullu, Gurusu, and Adabka all in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

All efforts to speak to the commissioner for health probe abortive.