…warn of looming healthcare disruption

Medical services in Ondo State may face disruption as doctors under the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have issued an eight-day ultimatum tobGovernor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over unresolved welfare concerns and unpaid allowances.

The association said the ultimatum became necessary after months of failed engagements with the state government, warning that continued inaction could further weaken an already strained healthcare system.

Chairman of the NMA in the state, Muyiwa Alonge, disclosed that doctors have been operating under increasing pressure due to manpower shortages, delayed entitlements, and poor working conditions across public health facilities.

According to the association, two Federal Government-approved welfare directives—covering salary adjustments and accoutrement allowances introduced in 2025—have yet to be implemented in Ondo, despite being operational in several other states.

Beyond the stalled implementation, the doctors said outstanding promotion allowances dating back to 2024 remain unpaid, further worsening morale among health workers.

The development comes amid a sustained wave of migration among Nigerian medical professionals, popularly described as the “japa” trend, which has significantly reduced the workforce available in many state-owned hospitals.

In Ondo, the NMA noted that the situation has left a limited number of doctors handling overwhelming responsibilities, in some cases running entire hospital units with minimal support.

The group expressed concern that the pressure on doctors is beginning to reflect on service delivery, as overstretched personnel struggle to balance clinical duties with personal wellbeing and professional growth.

It also highlighted infrastructural challenges, pointing to outdated or insufficient medical equipment in several facilities, a situation that often compels doctors to improvise in critical situations.

The NMA maintained that it had repeatedly presented its concerns to the government through formal correspondence and meetings since late 2025, but said there has been little indication of concrete action.

Among its demands are the immediate enforcement of the revised salary structure with full arrears, payment of accoutrement allowances, settlement of outstanding promotion benefits, and the recruitment of additional health workers to address the growing gap in manpower.

While acknowledging the potential consequences of industrial action, the association warned that the current state of the health sector poses a greater long-term risk to residents if left unaddressed.

The doctors said they would reconvene at the expiration of the ultimatum on April 28, 2026, to determine their next course of action, which may include a withdrawal of services.

They, however, urged the state government to act swiftly to restore confidence in the system, noting that timely intervention could prevent a full-scale crisis in public healthcare delivery.