At least 450 doctors in state-owned health facilities across Ogun State are planning an indefinite strike and suspension of services beginning September 1 over the government’s alleged failure to pay hazard allowance.
The NMA chairman in the state, Dr Kunle Ashimi, confirmed the proposed strike, according to The PUNCH.
He doctors at state-owned health facilities would embark on an indefinite strike if the government failed to meet up with promises made during the electioneering period.
He said, “There is this hazard allowance we have been clamouring for. The doctors at federal institutions are already collecting it, but the state institutions have not.
“We’ve had several meetings with the government as regards that. On March 5, during the electioneering campaign, Governor Dapo Abiodun promised to pay all the health workers in Ogun State, but it was an audio promise. We have had several engagements with them, and nothing has been done.
“It was because of the pressure mounted on them to fulfil the promises that they came up with the idea of giving palliatives to doctors. They now listed hazard allowance under it but have had several engagements with them, but nothing has been done.
“It was because of the pressure mounted on them to fulfil the promises that they came up with the idea of giving palliatives to doctors. They now listed hazard allowance under it, but the doctor disagreed that there is a difference between hazard allowance and palliative.
“We expected that the government would make a move, and when we did not see anything, during our last AGM, it was agreed that we should give them another 21-day ultimatum, that if they did not pay or doctors were short-paid, there would be a statewide strike of all the doctors working with state hospitals and facilities across the state. All doctors in general hospitals, primary health care centres, and teaching hospitals would also be involved.”
The doctors comprised mainly those working at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching University Hospital and different general hospitals and primary health centres across the state, as well as those working with the Ministry of Health and Health Management Board.
