Ogun doctors threaten strike over ‘poor working conditions’

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

Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Kunle Ashimi, the association’s chairman, 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.”

On the cholera outbreak, Ashimi appealed for preventive measures from residents.

“This includes avoiding open defecation, avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, washing hands regularly, washing fruits and vegetables well before consuming and treating water before consuming it, either by boiling or treating it with chemical purifying agents,” he said.

“We advocate that where there is no wherewithal to do this, two drops of plain household bleach in a litre of water can be a good alternative.

“We also implore schools to monitor food, fruit and snack vendors around the schools to ensure that they practice proper hygiene.

“As well, schools should reintroduce handwashing stations like it was done during the COVID-19 period.”