In Nigeria, the healthcare sector plays a crucial role in the nation’s well-being, yet public knowledge about the earnings of its professionals remains limited. Many Nigerians believe that entering the medical or healthcare profession guarantees financial success. While this is partially true, the reality is more nuanced. Government reforms—particularly the introduction of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS)—have significantly reshaped how healthcare professionals are compensated.
This article provides a comprehensive look into the CONHESS system: what it is, how it functions, the salary ranges for various healthcare roles, and the extra benefits attached to these positions. If you are considering a career in Nigeria’s healthcare system or simply want to understand how professionals like doctors, nurses, and medical technologists are paid, this guide will walk you through the essential details.
What is CONHESS?
CONHESS stands for Consolidated Health Salary Structure. It is a standardized compensation framework used to determine the salaries of public health workers across Nigeria. This structure ensures transparency, fairness, and consistency in salary distribution, addressing past discrepancies where similar roles earned significantly different amounts depending on the institution.
The system applies to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiologists, laboratory technologists, and other allied health workers. It allows for the categorization of these employees into different levels based on their qualifications, rank, and years of experience.
Overview of Healthcare Salaries Under CONHESS
Salaries under CONHESS vary considerably depending on the professional’s level, educational background, and workplace (private or government-owned). Here’s a snapshot of the average monthly salaries:
- Minimum Salary: ₦80,000
- Maximum Salary: ₦350,000
- Average Salary: ₦215,000
- Median Estimate: ₦150,000
It’s important to note that these figures serve as a general guide. Salary variations often arise from institutional policies, professional certifications, and length of service.
Positions Covered by CONHESS
The CONHESS framework includes a broad range of healthcare positions, categorized by job function and specialization. Some of the most common roles include:
- Medical doctors
- Nurses and midwives
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Laboratory scientists
- Radiologists
- Community health extension workers
- Public health officers
- Dietitians and nutritionists
Each of these roles is placed within a specific CONHESS level, which then determines their monthly income and entitlements.
CONHESS Salary Table by Level
Below is a simplified monthly salary table that compares different CONHESS levels. The table also includes insights into how salaries differ for female employees working in the private and public sectors:
| CONHESS Level | Standard Salary | Female Salary (Private Sector) | Female Salary (Government Sector) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONHESS 07 | ₦80,000 | ₦70,400 | ₦68,000 |
| CONHESS 08 | ₦90,000 | ₦79,200 | ₦76,500 |
| CONHESS 09 | ₦100,000 | ₦88,000 | ₦85,000 |
| CONHESS 10 | ₦120,000 | ₦105,600 | ₦102,000 |
| CONHESS 11 | ₦150,000 | ₦132,000 | ₦127,500 |
| CONHESS 12 | ₦180,000 | ₦158,400 | ₦153,000 |
| CONHESS 13 | ₦230,000 | ₦202,400 | ₦195,500 |
| CONHESS 14 | ₦280,000 | ₦246,400 | ₦238,000 |
| CONHESS 15 | ₦350,000 | ₦308,000 | ₦297,500 |
The table illustrates how female professionals often receive slightly less than their male counterparts, a reflection of broader gender pay disparities within the Nigerian workforce.
Factors That Influence Salary Differences
While CONHESS aims to standardize salaries, several variables still influence how much an individual earns within the same salary grade:
1. Gender
Gender-based wage disparity is a persistent issue in Nigeria. While the CONHESS framework itself does not mandate gendered pay scales, cultural and institutional practices result in women often earning 12 to 15 percent less than men in similar roles.
2. Qualification
Educational attainment significantly affects earnings under CONHESS. Professionals holding advanced degrees such as MBBS, PharmD, MSc, or PhD generally earn more than those with basic diplomas or bachelor’s degrees. Continuing professional development and additional certifications also contribute to upward salary adjustments.
3. Experience
Experience plays a vital role in salary determination. Entry-level workers often begin at the lower end of their CONHESS band, while long-serving staff with several years of experience progress through the steps within their level or even advance to higher levels.
Extra Benefits and Allowances
In addition to base salaries, healthcare professionals under CONHESS receive several allowances and bonuses, which significantly boost their total monthly compensation. These extras include:
Housing Allowance
Government-employed healthcare workers often receive housing stipends, while those in urban areas may be allocated official quarters. In remote locations, housing may be subsidized or provided entirely by the state.
Medical and Life Insurance
Medical professionals benefit from healthcare coverage both for themselves and their immediate families. This includes access to public health facilities at no or minimal cost and sometimes subsidized care at selected private clinics.
Transport Allowance
Due to the demanding nature of their job, many healthcare workers receive transportation support, either in the form of cash allowances or official transport from their residences to the hospital and back.
Duty and Hazard Allowance
Given the inherent risks associated with health work, particularly during pandemics or in specialized units such as emergency rooms, healthcare professionals are entitled to hazard pay. This may vary depending on the risk level of the assigned department.
End-of-Year Bonuses
Employees under CONHESS often receive an annual performance bonus or 13th-month pay. This is subject to government budgets and institutional performance reviews.
Responsibilities of CONHESS Professionals
The roles and expectations of healthcare professionals are varied but share common goals focused on patient care, ethical service delivery, and public health advancement.
Patient Care
One of the most critical duties is delivering personalized, attentive care. This includes monitoring patient health, administering medications, and collaborating with other professionals for comprehensive treatment plans.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists must assess symptoms, run diagnostic tests, and provide appropriate treatment or referrals.
Public Health Education
Many professionals—especially community health workers and nurses—are responsible for educating patients and the public on preventive health measures, disease management, and lifestyle improvement.
Ethical Conduct
Healthcare professionals are held to strict ethical standards. They are expected to maintain patient confidentiality, avoid discrimination, and uphold professional integrity at all times.
Emergency Response
In times of public health crises, such as epidemics, healthcare workers under CONHESS are often on the frontlines. Their roles extend beyond hospitals into communities where they provide life-saving interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CONHESS stand for?
CONHESS stands for Consolidated Health Salary Structure, a unified pay system for healthcare workers in Nigeria.
Who qualifies for CONHESS?
Medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, radiologists, and other health professionals employed in federal and state health institutions fall under the CONHESS system.
Why do salaries differ between public and private sectors?
Private institutions often operate with different financial structures and salary policies. Public sector salaries are bound by government frameworks like CONHESS, while private employers have more autonomy.
Are there plans to revise CONHESS?
Yes. Periodic reviews are conducted to adjust for inflation, evolving healthcare demands, and staff union negotiations. However, revisions are subject to budgetary approvals.
What is the hardest specialty in nursing?
Psychiatric nursing is often considered the most emotionally demanding due to the complex and unpredictable nature of mental health care.
Final Thoughts
CONHESS has brought structure and clarity to healthcare remuneration in Nigeria. While not without its flaws, it offers a scalable and transparent method of rewarding professionals based on merit, qualification, and years of service. It ensures healthcare professionals know what to expect as they progress in their careers and provides the government a tool to manage payroll effectively across its health institutions.
Whether you are a prospective healthcare worker or a policymaker, understanding the CONHESS system is crucial. It forms the foundation for salary negotiations, employee motivation, and workforce planning within Nigeria’s health sector.
