Kano doctors to embark on strike over poor welfare

The National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners has threatened to embark on industrial action beginning October 1, 2024, to express their displeasure over poor welfare.

Additionally, the doctors working under the state government payroll lamented the acute shortage of manpower, with the personnel currently standing at a ratio of 1 doctor to 33,000 people in the state.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the Secretary of the association, Dr. Anas Idris Hassan, disclosed that the decision to down tools was part of a resolution reached at the end of its congress.

Dr. Anas stated that despite reaching an agreement with the Kano State Government months ago in June to meet their demands, the government has yet to respond.

He emphasised that the government has not addressed the issue of their hazard allowance, specifically the post-COVID-19 hazard allowance, which has been paid by the federal government since 2021 but has yet to be paid by the Kano State Government.

Dr. Anas further mentioned that newly employed medical doctors, who were hired by the Kano State Government in September 2023, have not been paid their salaries.

The medical practitioners also expressed concern over the dilapidated state of Kano hospitals and the lack of necessary equipment, stressing the urgent need to address these issues.

Dr. Anas highlighted the critical doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organization’s standard.

He noted that there are an estimated 20 million people in Kano, served by only 600 doctors, resulting in a ratio of one doctor to 33,000 patients.