By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Health services in Katsina State face possible disruption as health professionals under the Assembly of Health Care Professionals have declared a seven-day warning strike over unresolved demands by the state government.
The industrial action, announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the government without what the association considers satisfactory action on its outstanding demands.
The association’s chairman, Comrade Ibrahim A. Balange, announced the decision during a press briefing, disclosing that the strike would begin at midnight on Wednesday.
Balange said the association had formally notified the state government of its intention to embark on the strike in a letter dated October 7, 2026. However, he expressed disappointment that the issues raised by the health professionals remained largely unresolved after the ultimatum expired.
According to him, the decision was not taken lightly but followed repeated efforts by the association to engage the government and resolve the dispute through dialogue.
He said members had demonstrated patience and a willingness to negotiate in the hope of securing an amicable settlement, but the continued delay in addressing their concerns had left the association with little choice but to resort to industrial action.
‘Strike Could Have Been Avoided’
The association maintained that the warning strike was a response to what it described as the government’s failure to fulfil its obligations to health professionals in the state.
Balange stressed that the action should not be interpreted as a rejection of dialogue, insisting that timely intervention and concrete commitments from the government could have prevented the industrial dispute.
He said the association remained open to discussions aimed at resolving the outstanding issues but maintained that meaningful steps were needed to address members’ grievances.
The chairman’s remarks suggest that the dispute remains potentially resolvable if both parties can return to negotiations and agree on a practical way forward.
Residents Await Government’s Response
The development has raised concerns about the possible impact of the strike on healthcare delivery across Katsina State, particularly for residents who depend on public health facilities for medical attention.
The association expressed regret over the inconvenience the industrial action might cause the government and members of the public, but reaffirmed its determination to defend the welfare, rights and professional interests of its members.
With the seven-day warning period now underway, attention is expected to focus on the state government’s response and whether fresh negotiations can produce a settlement before the dispute escalates.
The association has not detailed the specific demands that triggered the strike in the statement provided, while the government’s position on the industrial action was also not included.
For now, the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether both sides can reach an agreement and avert a prolonged disruption of healthcare services in Katsina State.
About The Author
