Medical doctors in Ogun State have begun an indefinite strike over unresolved issues on pay disparity between federal and state medical workers.
The doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The State Chairman of the medical association, Dr. Azeem Ashimi, said the decision to embark on the strike was taken after an initial 3-day warning strike.
The doctors are demanding that the state government addresses the issue of pay disparity between federal and state medical workers.
Ashimi said: “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach a compromise 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.”
The major grievances of the doctors, he pointed out, is the delay in the implementation of the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which he noted would reduce the exodus of medical professionals from the state.
“The core of the doctors’ grievances lies in the reviewed CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure), which they believe should be implemented to stem the exodus of medical professionals from Ogun State.
“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,” Ashimi said.
According to him, NMA in the state has introduced various initiatives aimed at keeping doctors from leaving. Ashimi, however, noted that equal pay with those at the federal level would encourage doctors to stay.
He said: “We have recorded achievements aimed at helping doctors feel a sense of belonging in the community.
“We’ve facilitated access to land for housing, started a cooperative society for savings, and other measures.
“However, aligning the state workers’ pay with federal workers’ pay would go a long way in encouraging doctors to remain.”
The chairman added: “I attended a meeting on human resources for health and I’m not happy with the way doctors are leaving Nigeria, especially from the state where I practice and where I’m the Chairman of NMA. People are leaving in droves.”