Ogun doctors begin indefinite strike over pay disparity

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State chapter, has embarked on an indefinite strike following unresolved issues concerning the allowances of doctors in the state.

The strike, which began on Saturday, August 3, 2024, is primarily aimed at addressing the pay disparity between federal and state medical workers. Chairman of the NMA in the state, Dr Azeem Kunle Ashimi, disclosed this, yesterday, during a media briefing in Abeokuta.

Ashimi said that the decision to proceed on an indefinite strike came after a failed three-day warning strike. He said: “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach a compromise with the government.”

“The government continues to plead that the issues of minimum wage and other related matters are common, but my people believe that we need to address the issues on the ground.

“The core of the doctors’ grievances lies in the reviewed CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure), which they believe, should be implemented to stem the exodus of medical professionals from Ogun State.

Ogun State is losing a lot of doctors daily because of the pay disparity. If the reviewed CONMESS is paid, it will encourage the doctors to stay,” Ashimi stressed.

The NMA said that in its efforts to retain medical personnel, it had undertaken various initiatives over the past two years. Ashimi said that the state government could address the issue and ensure the strike is short-lived.

“We believe strongly that if the government can promise to pay this money in due time through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), we can go back to work. Verbal promises have often led to doubts, hence the need for something penned down,” he further said.