Doctors of Ogun State Government Commences Warning Strike on HWN STRIKE UPDATE

Ogun State chapter of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners on Monday commenced a one-week warning strike over its requests from the state government.

The association disclosed in a communique issued at the end of the emergency general meeting of the association and signed by its chairman and secretary, Dr. Oladunni Adetola and Dr. Adetonwa Festus respectively.

The communique read,"After series of letters to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, both official and personal,as well as sensitization of all other stakeholders, the government has not seen any reason to attend to any of the aforementioned issues ravaging the health sectors.

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.

‎The group, therefore, stated that the strike became imperative having explored all opportunities to get the attention of the state government on issues affecting the health system in the state.

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

The body also identified shortage of staff across all cadres of ‎the health workers,submitting that there was no new recruitment in the last 2 to 3 years,despite the increasing demands on 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 CONMESS to correct an error of over 20 years on the doctors salary.

It said further that their colleagues in the state teaching hospital, the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, had been paid 10 months using the same circular.

Source: Vanguard, HWN Africa.