Let’s dialogue – Ondo govt begs doctors to shelve planned strike

The Ondo State Government has urged doctors in the state to shelve their threat of embarking on strike over welfare.

The state government made the appeal in a statement issued by Sina Adeyeye, office of the Head of Service, on Sunday in Akure.

Thefrontrank reports that doctors under the aegis of Nigerian Medical Association(NMA) had given the state government a seven-day ultimatum to enhance their welfare packages, threatened to embark on industrial action if their demands are not met.

The government, however, appealed to the doctors to give it “ample opportunity” to look into all issues raised.

“We want to reassure NMA and the general public that the state government under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will not trivialize the welfare of its workers including those in the health sector.

“It will, therefore, be appreciated if the NMA can give the government the ample opportunity to look into all issues raised.

“Let’s allow for more dialogue in the interest of the good people of the state. The task of making the state better requires the sacrifices of all,” the state government pleaded with the doctors.

The government said it was not unmindful of the situation in the health sector, saying that efforts were ongoing to address all issues concerning health workers and other workers in the state.

“We note with concern, the issues raised by the Nigeria Medical Association(NMA), Ondo State branch at its Ordinary General Meeting held on Thursday, 8th February, 2024 and its resolve to embark on a strike action if their demands are not met within seven days.

“While we are not unmindful of the situation in the health sector, it is expected that the NMA should not forget to appreciate the sincere gesture of the state government by being one of the first to approve 100% hazard allowance for its health workers and this was confirmed through the circular issued thereafter.

“It is also important to note that government has commenced the process of employing 1,000 Health workers to fill critical vacancies created particularly by the ‘Japa’ syndrome with the almost concluded ongoing interview at the Civil Service Commission.

“The assertion that the Government has not taken any step to act on the payment of the hazard allowance cannot be true in view of the constant interface we have been having with the NMA chairman.

“Where he has been consistently informed that the issue of special allowances is not only limited to health workers and what we are working on is to tackle them holistically so as not to give a wrong impression to those other categories of workers’ and make them feel they are being treated as inferior.

“We have always assured them all that having worked out the huge monthly implications of the allowances in the midst of other competing demands for the welfare of the entire state, genuine effort is ongoing to ensure that this is cleared soonest just as we have done with all outstanding allowances of workers in the state.

“Doctors should also appreciate the fact that they have been part of the ₦35,000 wage award as well as other welfare programmes currently put in place for workers in the state,” the government said.