Around 450 doctors in Ogun State’s state-owned health facilities are set to go on an indefinite strike starting September 1 due to alleged non-payment of hazard allowances by the government.
These doctors work in various health institutions, including Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching University Hospital, general hospitals, primary health centres, and the Ministry of Health and Health Management Board.
The Nigerian Medical Association NMA issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Ogun State Government during its Annual General Meeting last week demanding the payment of hazard allowances dating back to January 2023.
In a letter addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and signed by the NMA chairman and secretary, respectively, the organisation threatened industrial action if demands were not met by August 31.
The NMA chairperson said the association has consistently engaged the government, but nothing has been done to address the concerns.
He said: “It was because of the pressure mounted on the government that informed the promise to extend 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 had to write the governor a strong-worded letter that he should retract what he had done. Individual associations of doctors working for the state government have written letters too.
“In June, all these associations sent a 21-day ultimatum to the government to fulfil this promise, but all the ultimatums by the associations ended on 28 June.”
He said the fresh 21-day ultimatum was reissued after the government failed to honour the one earlier declared.
+ There are no comments
Add yours