Doctors in Ogun State have embarked on an indefinite strike following unresolved issues on pay disparity between federal and state medical workers.
The doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, on Tuesday at a press conference held in Abeokuta said the strike came after a failed 3-day warning strike.
Chairman of the association, Dr Azeem Ashimi disclosed that the strike began on Saturday, 3rd August 2024.
While bemoaning that the state is losing doctors on a daily basis as a result of the wage gap, Ashimi pointed out that the association was unable to come to an agreement with the government.
He said “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach a compromise with the government.
“The government continues to plead that the issues of minimum wage and other related matters are common but my people believe that we need to address the issues on the ground.
“The core of the doctors’ grievances lies in the reviewed CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure), which they believe should be implemented to stem the exodus of medical professionals from Ogun State.
“Ogun State is losing a lot of doctors daily because of the pay disparity. If the reviewed CONMESS is paid, it will encourage the doctors to stay,” Ashimi said.
He stated that the association has done a number of initiatives to retain medical personnel over the last two years, and that harmonising state and federal worker pay will go a long way towards persuading doctors to stay.
“We have recorded achievements aimed at helping doctors feel a sense of belonging in the community.
“We’ve facilitated access to land for housing, started a cooperative society for savings, and other measures.
However, aligning the state workers’ pay with federal workers’ pay would go a long way in encouraging doctors to remain,” Ashimi added .
The chairman expressed confidence that the state government can address the issue and ensure the strike is short-lived.
“We believe strongly that if the government can promise to pay this money in due time through a memorandum of understanding, we can go back to work. Verbal promises have often led to doubts, hence the need for something penned down.”