Ondo doctors threaten mass resignation

Medical doctors in the services of the Ondo State government have commenced a two-week warning strike over nonpayment of their salary areas.

The protesters under the aegis of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners alleged the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration of nonchalant disposition to mass resignation of their members from the service of the state.

According to a letter entitled: “Notice of withdrawal of service” signed by the state Chairman and Secretary of the NAGGMDP, Dr Roland Arohunmolase and Dr. Richard Obe respectively, and addressed to the governor, the doctors threatened to resign en mass if their demands were not met within two weeks.

Stating their grounds for the industrial action, the doctors alleged among others “non-payment of salaries arrears being owed health workers in Ondo State (January, 2017, March, April and May 2021), Gross under-staffing of government hospitals following mass exodus of doctors and other health workers from the state,  non-regular payment of salaries and non harmonization of doctors’ grade level in Ondo State Civil Service as approved by Mr. Governor which is contained in the letter written to Nigerian Medical Association Ondo State in March, 2021

“Percentage payment of salaries to health workers, non-payment of third tranche of COVID-19 allowance, non- implementation of Group Life Insurance for all Health workers,” they claimed.

According to the letter, “With due respect to your office, we write to notify your office of the immediate withdrawal of service by our members working under Ondo State Government Civil Service. Following Ordinary General Meeting of our association held on Wednesday 9th of June, 2021, members resolved at proceeding on two weeks warning strike starting from 8:00am, 10th of June, 2021.

“We hereby state that it is not the wish of our members to proceed on this industrial action, but it is necessary to draw your attention and that of the citizenry to the afore-mentioned. The Association hopes Mr. Governor will do the needful in addressing our dissatisfaction as contained in this letter” the doctors stated in the letter.

(Daily Independent)