Ondo Doctors Demand Better Welfare, Threaten Industrial Action

Doctors in Ondo State, operating under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have expressed deep concern over the exodus of medical professionals from the state due to inadequate welfare conditions. In a communiqué issued after the association's Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), doctors gave the state government a seven-day ultimatum to address their grievances or face potential industrial action.

The NMA highlighted the pressing issue of poor welfare packages, citing disparities in salaries and the non-implementation of approved hazard allowances as major concerns. The scarcity of doctors in the state is evident, with only 22 resident doctors currently available at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTHC), a sharp decline from previous figures.

Dr. Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, the Chairman of NMA in Ondo State, stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that doctors have been reluctant to seek employment within the state due to unfavorable conditions. He underscored the need for the state government to address salary discrepancies and improve working conditions to retain medical professionals and attract new talent.

The association highlighted the significant migration of doctors to neighboring states and even internationally, citing examples of professionals seeking opportunities in African countries such as Sierra Leone and Gambia, as well as countries outside the continent including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.

The dwindling number of resident doctors at UNIMEDTHC underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency for decisive action to address the challenges facing the healthcare sector in Ondo State. The NMA's call for improved welfare conditions reflects broader concerns within the medical community about the sustainability and quality of healthcare delivery in the state.

As doctors await a response from the state government, the looming prospect of industrial action underscores the severity of the situation and the imperative for timely and effective interventions to safeguard the healthcare system and ensure the well-being of both medical professionals and patients alike.