Ogun Doctors Threaten Indefinite Strike Action

Medical doctors in the employment of the
Ogun Government on Tuesday vowed to
embark on an indefinite industrial action by
August if the state government continues to
ignore their demands.

The doctors, under the aegis of the National
Association of Government General Medical
Practitioners, made the threat during a
news conference in Abeokuta.
The association said the continued failure of
the state government to accede to their
requests would force them to withdraw
their services, totally, by September.
The state branch Chairman of the
association, Dr Oladunni Adetola, said
NAGGMDP was dissatisfied with the state of
health infrastructure, equipment and the
dearth of medical personnel in the state
hospitals.
“The condition in the state general hospitals
across all the zones is weighing on the poor
health indices of the state.
“Most of our equipment and machines are
grounded. Suctioning machine, oxygen
concentrator and suturing instrument
needed for emergency service are not
available.
“Some of the structures actually need to be
demolished and rebuilt. A good example is
General Hospital, Itori, which has cracked
walls everywhere.
“Also, the progressive reduction in
personnel arising from statutory and
voluntary retirement of some staff has put
pressure on the available health workers,’’
Adetola said.
He cited the example of the state hospitals in
Ijaye and Ijebu-ode, which he said had 16
and 10 medical officers respectively instead
of the optimal standard of 48.
“In addition, we have grouse with
government over the wide disparity in our
salaries from our counterparts in other
health institutions in the state.
“We have written several letters to the
governor and other arms of the state
government, the latest being two weeks ago
and no reply from the government.’’
Adetola also said that the doctors concerned
had in the past embarked on several
industrial actions, to press home their
demands and that government had
repeatedly pleaded with them to return to
work.
Responding to the doctors’ threat, the
Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde
Ipaye, said the state government was not
unmindful of their agitation.
He, however, pleaded with the doctors to
show government some understanding.
“The harsh economic reality of the country
has stalled major projects being carried out
in parts of the state.
“As we speak, the state is carrying out some
major rehabilitation of health facilities and
structures across the state,’’ Ipaye said
He said, however, that the state did not owe
any doctor salaries.

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