Ogun NMA threatens strike over poor work condition

The Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has threatened to embark on strike following the poor working conditions affecting health practitioners in the state.

NMA chairman Dr Kunle Ashimi disclosed this on Thursday, in a press conference held at Doctors’ House, Lukosi, Abeokuta, where he stressed that unless the state government takes immediate action to address their concerns, members of NMA would embark on industrial action.

He explained that despite ongoing discussions with relevant government officials, no official commitment aside from verbal assurances has been made.

According to him: “The State Executive Council of NMA Ogun issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government on June 7, 2024, which will elapse on June 27, 2024, indicating 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.

“Conversations have been ongoing in this respect with relevant government officers, with verbal assurances but no official commitment from the government yet. We use this opportunity to call on well-meaning citizens of Ogun State to impress upon the Ogun State government to do the needful to avert any industrial action.”

Speaking on the recent increase in electricity tariffs, Dr Ashimi harped on the need for exceptions to be made for health institutions to prevent these increased costs from being passed onto patients.

“Over the last few weeks, we have been inundated with SOS messages from health institutions across the state concerning the enormous increase in operating costs of hospitals occasioned by the recent increase in electricity tariffs.

“For example, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, a mission tertiary health institution, informed us that their electricity bills jumped from between N80 and N100 million monthly to N300 million in the last month.

“While we appreciate the zeal of the government to develop the energy sector, we appeal strongly that concessions be given to health institutions, as these humongous tariffs will eventually be passed on to our poor patients, thereby driving them further away from access to appropriate healthcare services,” he said.