Table 6 Suggested solutions to national healthcare worker strikes in Nigeria

Government respect for agreements and health acts

Government should implement the signed agreements, not just put them to paper; Fulfilment of agreement by Government to all health workers; Improvement in health service delivery including implementation of 2014 National Health Act. More sincerity on the part of Government

Better leadership and management systems

Hospital management should communicate better with residents (not by issuing threats); The hospitals should operate at an internationally acceptable standard for the kind/level of facility it is; The hospital administration/leadership should involve the healthcare workers in decision making, leadership should be inclusive; To work on the leadership and administration of the health system; Sincerity on the part of hospital management

Improved inter-professional relationships

Mutual respect among all healthcare cadres

Timely and better salaries and compensations

Consistent and regular payment of salaries; Regularization of salaries to remove inconsistency; The remuneration of the health worker should be given topmost priority by the government and if they are unwilling, they can privatize hospitals for better management

Infrastructural upgrade

Improved infrastructure in hospitals; Improved working conditions—renovations of the call rooms, Make working environment conducive

Improve staff welfare

Increase welfare of health workers

Better training management systems

There should be a clear template for the residency training programme which is universally applicable in all facilities in the country, and this should be followed strictly, including staff strength, work duration(s), remunerations, and taxation