Poor Working Condition: Ogun doctors Sends Strike Notice  …..Issues 21-day Ultimatum to Govt.

By Omowumi Omotosho

The Ogun state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to embark on a strike over poor working conditions.

The association’s chairman, Kunle Ashimi at a press briefing in Abeokuta on Friday said the non-payment of the reviewed consolidated medical salary scale (CONMESS) and failure to recruit new doctors are some of the issues requiring government attention.

He said despite ongoing discussions with relevant government officials, there have been no commitments.

Ashimi said members of the association would have no choice but to embark on a strike unless the government addresses their concerns by June 27.

He urged residents to implore the government to take necessary steps to prevent the looming strike, which would disrupt healthcare services across the state.

“The state executive council of NMA Ogun issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government on June 7, which will elapse on June 27,” he said.

“This indicated that industrial harmony may not be guaranteed after this date as the pressure of work on the few doctors holding forth is yielding dire consequences.

“Ongoing conversations with relevant government officers only came with verbal assurances but no official commitment yet.

“Concerned affiliates of NMA Ogun have been engaging the government on the need to commence the payment of the reviewed CONMESS salary scale for doctors in the state in order to motivate and retain those who have not left and to attract new ones.”