Kehinde Fajobi
Doctors in Ondo State under the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) Ondo chapter, on Tuesday, declared an indefinite strike over alleged poor working conditions and welfare issues.
The strike comes a day after the doctors staged a protest, accusing the management of the state-owned teaching hospital of neglecting their demands.
Dr. Olaogbe Kehinde, President of UNIMEDTH ARD, while addressing journalists in Akure, expressed frustration over the challenges facing the hospital, including illegal salary deductions, exorbitant taxes, and unpaid hazard allowances.
“Many doctors have left the hospital without prior notice because of the harsh conditions of service.
“Despite our repeated calls for a review of our working conditions, the management has failed to address the critical issues affecting us,” Kehinde said.
He outlined the doctors’ demands, which include resolving salary irregularities, implementing the new minimum wage, and ensuring parity in salary payments with other tertiary hospitals.
“We deeply regret any inconvenience this strike may cause to patients and the public, but we have been pushed to the wall,” he added.
The immediate past ARD President, Dr. John Matthew, also highlighted the deteriorating state of the hospital, citing the exodus of doctors due to poor welfare.
“Doctors are leaving Ondo State because of the wide disparity in salaries compared to other states like Ogun. Illegal deductions, excessive taxes, and poor welfare are worsening an already terrible situation.
“We will not return to work until our demands are met. This is about survival. The hospital was even disconnected from the national grid at some point, forcing us to sleep and work in darkness,” Matthew said.
Reacting to the situation, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Dr. Gbala Micheal, appealed for calm, assuring the doctors that their grievances would be addressed.
“We are committed to resolving these issues, but we need more time to put things in place,” Micheal stated.