Doctors in Ondo State, under the auspices of medical practitioners in Ondo State and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government over the poor welfare packages of doctors in the state.
The ultimatum, set at seven days, serves as a clear indication of the urgency and seriousness with which the doctors regard their concerns. At the heart of their grievances lie issues relating to the welfare and well-being of healthcare professionals in Ondo State. Despite their crucial role in the healthcare system, doctors have long faced challenges stemming from insufficient resources, poor working conditions, and inadequate remuneration.
The decision to issue the ultimatum underscores the depth of dissatisfaction among doctors in Ondo State and reflects their unwavering commitment to advocating for meaningful change. For too long, medical practitioners have grappled with the consequences of substandard working conditions, including heavy workloads, limited resources, and inadequate facilities. These challenges not only impact the quality of care provided to patients but also take a toll on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals.
Central to the demands of the doctors is the need for the Ondo state government to prioritize the welfare and interests of healthcare workers. This includes addressing issues such as salary arrears, provision of essential medical supplies and equipment, the improvement of healthcare infrastructure, and the implementation of measures to enhance the safety and security of medical personnel.
They threatened to embark on industrial action if the Ondo state government fail to meet their demands.
Their position was contained in the communique issued by the association after Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the association frowned over the continued exodus of doctors from the state, over poor welfare package, non-implementation of the approved hazard allowance and disparities in the salaries of doctors in the state when compared to other neighborhood state.
Chairman of the association in the state, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, said in a communique issued said that “there is dire shortage of health personnel in the state, doctors have refused to take up employment with state government.
“This is not unconnected with the point of entry into the service, which has been reviewed and approval given by the federal government to be at grade level 13, step 2 for doctors.
“However, Ondo State is still using Grade Level 12, Step 3, hence, the refusal of doctors to take up employment with the State Civil Service, as witnessed in the last exercise conducted by the Ondo Civil Service Commission.
Adeyemi-Osowe added that “numerous doctors within the Ondo State Civil Service left for greener pastures locally (neighbouring states such as Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Kwara, and Delta) and internationally in African countries: Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa, etc and outside the continent: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.”.
“There are only 22 resident doctors at UNIMEDTHC compared to the previous figure of 150 resident doctors.
“Only a few weeks ago, eight doctors left the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit at UNIMEDTHC in Ondo State to join the same unit at OAUTHC, Ile Ife, Osun State.”.
“The Congress observed that the following units at UNIMEDTHC do not have resident doctors under training: orthopaedics, burns and plastics, ear, nose, and throat, mental health, and pediatric surgery.
“It was noted with great concern the collapse of the neurosurgery department of the teaching hospital—no resident doctors and no consultants in that unit presently.
“It was observed that the state general hospitals located at Iwaro-Oka, Ipe, Irele, and Ido-Ani, where we used to have at least 5 doctors per general hospital, now have a doctor per general hospital, and this doctor is expected to be on call every day of the week, and that same doctor is also expected to see to the day-to-day running of the hospital.
” This is reminiscent of the slave trade era, where slaves work every minute each day.
“The OGM noted with grave concerns the non-implementation of the approved hazard allowance; approved for all doctors in Nigeria in December 2021 and has been implemented for all doctors working with federal government for the past 26 months ago and in almost all the states of the federation. Our neighbour, Ekiti State has been enjoying it for almost one year.
“This was eventually approved by Ondo state government in August 2023; it took over 60 days before the approval could be circularized.
” It was eventually done on 23rd October 2023, with the implementation period backdated to 2nd October, 2023 but now 5 months after, no payment have been made by the state government”
The doctors’ Congress expressed sadness over the development condemned “the huge disparities in the salaries of doctors working in Ondo state and that of Ekiti state, Osun state, Kwara state, Edo state to mention a few in one hand and that of the doctors working with Federal Civil Service in another hand.
“The OGM observed with great concerns the continued decay of infrastructure in our general hospitals across the state and UNIMEDTHC, a teaching hospital. It also notes the gap in the existence of equipment in these health facilities and institutions”
The doctors, therefore resolved that, “as a matter of urgency, the state government should fast track the recruitment of health personnel in the state.
They equally resolved that the implementation of the grade level 13 step 2 as a point of entry for medical doctors should be implemented if the government wants doctors to take up employment with Ondo State Civil Service.
“The Congress resolved that the huge disparities in the salaries of doctors in Ondo State Civil Service (an oil producing state) and that of the neighbouring states especially Ekiti state ( created out of Ondo state and a non-oil producing state) should be looked into with a view to bridging the gap, without further delay.
“The State Government should as a matter of urgency set up a committee to enter into negotiation for the implementations of these noted disparity.
“The congress also resolved to give an ultimatum of seven- days to the Government of Ondo State to implement the approved hazard allowance. This being the lowest hanging fruits.
“That failure to implement this after the expiration of the seven days, the relative industrial harmony in the state health sector shall no longer be guaranteed.
“The Congress shall reconvene after the expiration of the stated period to chart a way forward.
“The OGM enjoins the state government to resolve the issues of non-availability of equipment at some critical units in our teaching hospital UNIMEDTHC (The CT scan is non-functional for over 12months, no ventilators at the ICU) etc.
“The Congress would like to plead with opinion leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders and all Ondo state residents interested in a healthy Ondo state to prevail on our government to declare state of emergency in Ondo state health sector with the aim of proffering effective measures and solutions to the sector’s numerous challenges to achieving a healthy, prosperous and peaceful Ondo state.
“Finally, we must appreciate all our members still holding forth at all our facilities in the state despite all these numerous challenges enumerated. Let us keep giving our best to the good people of the state, while believing that we shall overcome.
