Doctors in Ogun State, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Chapter, have embarked on an indefinite strike following unresolved issues relating to their assignments.
Addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday, NMA Chairman Azeem Ashimi said the strike, which began on Saturday, August 3, is aimed at addressing the pay disparity between federal and state medical workers.
Mr Ashimi explained that the decision to proceed with an indefinite strike came after a failed three-day warning strike.
“Unfortunately, we could not reach an agreement with the government. The government keeps claiming that the issues of minimum wage and other related issues are common, but my people believe that we should address the issues on the ground,” he said.
According to Mr. Ashimi, the core of the doctors’ grievances lies with the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which they believe should be implemented to stem the exodus of medical professionals from Ogun State.
“Ogun State is losing many doctors every day due to salary disparity. If the revised CONMESS is paid, doctors will be encouraged to stay,” he stressed.
As part of efforts to retain medical personnel in the state, the NMA has undertaken several initiatives over the past two years.
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“We have made progress in the sense of belonging of doctors to the community. We have facilitated access to land for housing and created a savings cooperative, among other measures.
“However, aligning state workers’ salaries with those of federal workers would go a long way toward encouraging doctors to stay,” Ashimi said.
He regretted that doctors were leaving the state service in large numbers and stressed that the state government could address the issue and ensure that the strike was short-lived.
“We strongly believe that if the government can promise to pay this money in due time through a memorandum of understanding, we will be able to get back to work. Verbal promises have often raised doubts, hence the need to put something in writing,” he said.