By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), South-East zone, has renewed its call for strengthened participation of allied health workers in driving Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

The call was made during the 2025 South-East Leadership Summit held in Abakaliki, and hosted by the Ebonyi State Council.

The event had as its theme, “Reawakening the Consciousness of NUAHP as Key Stakeholders in the Nigerian Health Sector Beyond Unionism”,

In his remarks, the Ebonyi State Chairman of NUAHP, Comrade Aja Kelechi Chima, expressed delight at hosting leaders from across the region and appreciated the presence of government representatives.

He commended Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for what he described as workers-friendly policies, noting the revitalisation of general hospitals, increase in minimum wage, full payment of workers’ health insurance, employment of over 2,000 civil servants, and construction of a 140-unit civil servants’ estate.

Despite the progress recorded, Comrade Chima stressed that the health sector still faces serious manpower gaps.

He called for mass recruitment of allied health professionals, appointment of qualified personnel to head health institutions, regular training and retraining, improved incentives, and the provision of a union bus for members.

He reaffirmed the union’s readiness to partner with government to improve healthcare delivery and workers’ welfare, expressing confidence that the summit would strengthen regional cooperation.

Representing the NUAHP National President, Comrade Kamal Alhassan Ibrahim, the Deputy President South (South-East), Comrade Charles Nwoye, described the union as a unique body committed to building quality leadership that enhances service delivery and motivates workers across the health system.

He condemned the constant shutdown of the nation’s health sector due to recurring industrial actions, blaming it on political negligence.

According to him, the persistent strike actions are rooted in unresolved financial issues, particularly the long-standing CONHESS salary adjustment dispute.

“People have to be okay to take care of the sick,” he said.

“You can agree with me it’s the issue of CONHESS adjustment which has lingered since 2012. Government has been dilly-dallying till now.

"It was agreed that anytime the salary structure of one professional group is adjusted, the other would be reviewed accordingly, but that has not been implemented.”

Representing the Ebonyi State Head of Service, Comrade Omoha Chigozie commended allied health professionals for their contributions to the state’s health system.

He assured the union of government’s continuous support to enable them perform optimally.

In their separate remarks, Comrade Agu Athonia Chika of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and Dr. Kelechi Aniagboso, South-East Zonal Secretary and Public Relations Officer at UNTH, Enugu, applauded the organisers for a successful summit.

They suggested that the event be expanded to two days in future to allow deeper engagement and exchange of ideas among professionals.

The summit featured lectures and interactive sessions, drawing government officials, health sector leaders, and delegates from across the South-East.

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