Doctors begin two weeks warning strike in Ondo

Medical doctors employed by the Ondo State Government have begun a two-week warning strike to press for better working conditions.

The doctors, under the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, said the state government had failed to pay their salary arrears for some months. They also alleged that the state had failed to resolve the issue of the exodus of doctors and other health workers, among other issues.

They gave the notice in a letter addressed to the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, after its meeting on June 9, 2021.

The letter was signed by the state chairman and secretary of the NAGGMDP, Roland Arohunmolase and Richard Obe respectively.

“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,” the letter, titled the ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Service’, read.

“Following Ordinary General Meeting of our association held on Wednesday 9th of June, 2021, members resolved at proceeding on two weeks warning strike starting from 8:00 am, 10th of June, 2021.”

The doctors went further to list the “nonpayment 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 the Governor as contained in the letter written to Nigerian Medical Association Ondo State in March, 2021.”

The doctors also complained of percentage payment of salaries to health workers, non-payment of the third tranche of COVID-19 allowance, and non-implementation of Group Life Insurance for all Health workers.

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

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