Resident doctors at the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) have embarked on an indefinite strike, citing the non-payment of hazard allowances and deplorable working conditions. The strike action commenced on Monday, following a peaceful protest within the hospital premises, where doctors highlighted their grievances and demands.
According to sources, the health workers downed tools after repeated unmet demands by the hospital management, prompting the strike as a last resort.The doctors are demanding immediate resolution to irregularities and discrepancies in salary payments, including the full implementation of the new minimum wage. They are also calling for an end to illegal deductions from their salaries, a review of exorbitant tax payments, and payment of all hazard allowance arrears.
Speaking to journalists, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in Ondo state, Olaogbe Kehinde, stated that the strike became inevitable due to the non-payment of arrears. Mr. Kehinde revealed that many doctors have resigned or left without notice due to poor working conditions, which management has ignored despite repeated pleas.
“We demand the correction of irregularities and discrepancies in salary payments, the implementation of the new minimum wage scale, and parity in salary payments with other tertiary hospitals as stipulated in the teaching hospital constitution, among other issues,” he said.
He emphasized that the strike was a difficult decision, but doctors could no longer work under conditions that undermine their well-being and compromise patient care. Mr. Kehinde urged the state government to expedite payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, improve working conditions, and implement their demands promptly.
“We deeply regret any inconvenience this strike may cause to patients and the public,” he said. The ARD president apologized for any inconvenience the strike may cause patients and the public, assuring that doctors would return to work once their demands are met. Immediate past ARD President John Matthew highlighted the significant disparity in salaries between Ondo state doctors and those in other states, largely due to illegal deductions and taxes.
“We will not return to work until our demands are met. Money is the core issue because that is what is driving doctors away,” he said.
“There is a huge disparity in payment between Ondo and Ogun States. Doctors will go to states that are offering them good welfare packages but they are worsening the terrible welfare here.”
Mr. Matthew noted that many doctors have taken up appointments in other states due to these discrepancies, leading to a brain drain in Ondo state’s healthcare sector. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UNIMEDTH, Gbala Micheal, pleaded with the striking doctors for more time to address their grievances. Mr. Micheal assured that the state government would invite the striking doctors to a meeting to address their agitations and work towards a resolution.
This strike follows a 14-day warning strike in April, where doctors cited the same reasons for their action, highlighting the ongoing nature of their grievances.The ongoing strike has raised concerns about the impact on healthcare services in Ondo state, with patients and the public eagerly awaiting a resolution to the crisis.
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