The Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern warning of an impending strike if the state government fails to fulfill its commitment to review the hazard allowance for its healthcare workers.
NMA expressed deep concern that, for an extended period, doctors practicing in government-owned hospitals in the state received a meager N5,000 as hazard allowance. While the state government had approved an increase in this allowance, it had yet to implement the adjustment.
Speaking during the NMA 2023 Physicians’ Week in Akure, the state capital, Dr. Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, Chairman of the Ondo NMA, highlighted that the state government had assured the payment of the revised allowance within the week. Failure to meet this deadline could lead to another industrial action.
Dr. Adeyemi-Osowe emphasized, “We may not hesitate to go on strike if the implementation of the reviewed allowance is not paid before the end of this week.”
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Furthermore, he pointed out that the shortage of healthcare personnel and allowances posed significant challenges for the Ondo NMA. Despite the approval of an increased hazard allowance by the Federal Government, the state had yet to implement it, while other states and federal workers had received the updated allowance.
Dr. Adeyemi-Osowe cautioned, “At the end of this week, if we do not have that circular, it would not be unreasonable for the Ondo State Nigeria Medical Association to go on strike if we do not have the circular for the implementation of the hazard allowance.”
The NMA also raised concerns about healthcare professionals leaving Nigeria for opportunities abroad due to uncompetitive salaries and allowances. Dr. Adeyemi-Osowe stressed the importance of improving the welfare of healthcare workers to retain talent in the state.
In addition, the National President of the NMA, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, warned against undermining doctors in Nigeria and called for due process in addressing grievances. He expressed displeasure at the recent media trial of healthcare workers by the Minister of Women Affairs and encouraged appropriate channels for addressing issues related to healthcare professionals.
