Ondo Doctors Are On Strike For Two Weeks Over Salary

Doctors in Ondo State have launched a two-week warning strike under the auspices of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, claiming that the state government is not taking their welfare seriously.

The doctors accused the government of neglecting to pay their wage arrears for several months, as well as neglecting to address the issue of doctor and other health worker emigration, among other issues, resulting in their service being removed.

In a letter to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the association claimed this.

Roland Arohunmola, the state chairman and secretary of the NAGGMDP, signed the letter.

The letter was titled, ‘Notice of withdrawal of service’.

It read, “With due respect to your office, we write to notify your office of the immediate withdrawal of service by our members working under Ondo State Government Civil Service.

“Following the ordinary general meeting of our association held on Wednesday 9th of June, 2021, members resolved at proceeding on a two-week warning strike, starting from 8am, 10th of June, 2021.”

According to the letter, some of the grounds for the industrial action are non-payment of salary arrears being owed health workers in Ondo State (January, 2017, March, April and May 2021), gross understaffing of government hospitals.”

following mass exodus of doctors and other health workers from the state, non-regular payment of salaries and non-harmonization of doctors’ grade level in Ondo State Civil Service as approved by Mr. Governor which is contained in the letter written to the Nigerian Medical Association Ondo State in March, 2021, among others.

The letter further read, “Against this backdrop, we wish to let you know that our members have been overstretched and their emotional intelligence badly affected.”

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, declined comment on the matter.