In Nigeria, Ogun doctors begin one-week warning strike

Doctors under the umbrella of National Association ofGovernment General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ogun State chapter, will on Monday commenced a one-week warning strike to press home their demands, which include shortage of staff, and unconducive working environment among others.

In a communique issued at the end of the emergency general meeting of the association last Wednesday in Abeokuta, the association said the strike became imperative after exploring in vain, all avenues to get the attention of the state government on issues affecting the health system in the state.

The communique signed by its chairman and secretary, Dr. Oladunni Adetola and Dr. Adetonwa Festus, stated that the association had written series of letters to the state governor, SenatorIbikunle Amosun on the need to restructure health facilities and address shortage of staff without getting any response.

It further argued that little or nothing could be achieved in the health sector in the state, considering the nagging issues of lack of materials, equipment ‎and good working environment.

The association also identified shortage of staff across all cadres of ‎the health workers in state hospitals, adding that there had been no new recruitment in the last two to three years,despite the increasing workloads in the sector.

NAGGMDP also noted with dismay the refusal of the state government to respect a circular by the federal government since 2013 on the need for all states to effect the payment of corrected Consolidated MedicalSalary Structure, meant to correct an error of over 20 years in doctors’ salary.

The communique read in part, “After series of letters to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator IbikunleAmosun, both official and personal,as well as sensitisation of all other stakeholders, the government has not seen any reason to attend to any of the aforementioned issues ravaging the health sector.

“Having fulfilled all necessary steps needed to ensure dialogue with the government and at the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum given to the state government with no favourable response, the members of the association has therefore mandated ‎the executive members to declare a one week warning strike starting from 7th to 13th March.

“We are not unmindful of the inconveniences this might cause the masses, which we greatly regret. We need to affirm our resolution to resolve these issues amicably through genuine dialogue so as to avert any prolonged industrial disharmony in the state.”