Ondo doctors insist on planned Strike after expiration of 14-day ultimatum

The leadership of the National Association of Government General Medical & Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) in Ondo state on Tuesday stated that there is no going back on the industrial action by the Union after the expiration of the ultimatum given to the state government.

NAGGMDP had in June 3rd given the Ondo State Government a 14-day ultimatum to address various challenges affecting their welfare conditions in the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure by the Secretary of NAGGMDP, Dr Tunde Olasakinju, the Union revealed that the ultimatum, which will lapse on June 22, since only working days were being observed, said the strike of resident doctors had put its members on pressure.

The union however, said it was in solidarity with the strike action embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

Resident doctors in Nigeria are currently on strike, citing shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and poor remuneration for members as reasons for the strike.

Olasakinju said the strike was basically on insensitive disposition of government at various levels to dilapidated structures of health system.

“We are fully in solidarity with the genuine agitations of NARD and our demands are same; all are basically centered on the insensitive disposition of various levels of Government to dilapidated structures of our health system(s).

“We are also aware of the commencement of the nationwide strike by NARD in which resident doctors within the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) UNIMEDTH have fully complied with.

“This, as expected, has pushed enormous responsibility on our members in the institution.

” This can be attested to by the internal memo of the institution issued surreptitiously, putting our members in undue pressure, including House Officers.

“We want to note that the 14 days ultimatum will elapse by 22nd June, 2020 since only working days are observed. Failure of Government to meet our demands will automatically lead to further actions from us,” he said.