Mayowa Olumuyiwa
Medical doctors in Ondo State have issued a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to address their grievances or face state-wide strike action.
The doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Ondo State branch, an affiliate of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), issued the ultimatum after an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Wednesday.
While reading the communique issued after the meeting of the association, the Chairman, Dr. Aina Oluwafemi, said the state government failed to implement payment of 50% of basic salary as special COVID-19 hazard allowance for all health workers.
Dr. Oluwafemi noted that 2.5% is being however, deducted from their consolidated basic salary without explanation.
According to him, “doctors are disappointed, perplexed and in distraught that the State Government could subject them to ridicule and public embarrassment.”
He accused the Ondo State Government of refusal to implement consequential adjustment of increment in minimum wage to doctors and other health workers.
Oluwafemi further warned that failure to meet their demands within 14 days would make them revert to Congress and any decision reached would be binding on the executives.
In a swift reaction to this development, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, noted that all issues raised by the doctors were being looked into.
In his words, “The sector, no doubt, is a very critical one and Mr Governor has always expressed his appreciation of their services. If there are issues that require attention, Government will not sigh away from such. The responsibilities are mutual and inclusive.”
