December 31, 2024
By Adedoja Adesoji
Resident doctors at the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) have begun an indefinite strike, citing non-payment of hazard allowances and poor working conditions.
The strike action, which started on Monday, followed a peaceful protest within the hospital’s premises.
According to Olaogbe Kehinde, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the state, the strike became inevitable due to the doctors being overstretched and unable to work without their arrears. Kehinde stated, “We demand the correction of irregularities and discrepancies in salary payments, the implementation of the new minimum wage scale, and parity in salary payments with other tertiary hospitals as stipulated in the teaching hospital constitution, among other issues.”
The doctors are also seeking an end to illegal deductions from their salaries, a review of exorbitant tax payments, and payment of all hazard allowance arrears. Kehinde noted that many doctors in the state have resigned or left without notice due to poor working conditions, which the hospital’s management has ignored.
Kehinde emphasized, “We deeply regret any inconvenience this strike may cause to patients and the public.” He urged the state government to expedite payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, improve working conditions, and ensure prompt implementation of their demands.
John Matthew, Immediate Past President of ARD, highlighted the significant disparity in salaries between doctors in Ondo State and those in other states, largely due to illegal deductions and taxes. Matthew noted, “We will not return to work until our demands are met. Money is the core issue because that is what is driving doctors away.”
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Gbala Micheal, pleaded with the striking doctors for more time to address their grievances, stating that the state government would invite them to a meeting to address their agitations.
The doctors had previously embarked on a 14-day warning strike in April, citing the same reasons.
