Ogun Doctors Embark On Indefinite Strike Over Pay Disparity Amid #EndBadGovernance Protests

Doctors in Ogun State, represented by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have embarked on an indefinite strike issues of unresolved allowances.

The strike, which began on Saturday, August 3, aims to address the pay differences between federal and state medical workers.

Dr. Azeem Kunle Ashimi, the State Chairman of the Medical Association, announced this at a press conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Ashimi explained that the indefinite strike followed an unsuccessful 3-day warning strike.

He said that the association couldn’t reach an agreement with the government.

The government continues to plea 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, Ashimi said.

He also stated that the main concern for doctors is the revised CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure), which they believe should be implemented to prevent doctors from leaving Ogun State.

According to him, the state is losing many doctors daily due to the pay gap.

“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,” he said.

“I attended a meeting on human resources for health, and I’m not happy with how doctors leave Nigeria, especially from the state where I practise and where I’m the Chairman of NMA. People are leaving in droves.

“We believe strongly that if the government can promise to pay this money in due time through a memorandum of understanding, we can return to work. Verbal promises have often led to doubts. Hence the need for something penned down.”

The strike comes amid the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

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