Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have embarked on an indefinite strike action, citing non-payment of salaries and poor working conditions.
The doctors, who had staged a peaceful protest on Monday, listed several grievances, including “irregularities” in salary payments, “implementation of the new minimum wage scale, payment of hazard allowance arrears,” and provision of conducive accommodation.
According to the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the state, Olaogbe Kehinde, the doctors have been overstretched and can no longer work due to non-payment of their arrears and other benefits.
“We have written series of ‘save our souls’ letters to the management for review, but all efforts proved abortive,” Dr. Olaogbe said.
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The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Gbala Michael, acknowledged some of the demands of the doctors and said the state government would call the striking doctors to a meeting to address their agitations.
“We have pleaded with the striking doctors to give more room for dialogue,” Dr. Gbala said.
John Matthew, immediate past President of the Association, said the disparity between the salary of Ondo doctors and other States is largely due to illegal deductions and taxes.
“We will not return to work until our demands are met. Money is the core issue because that is what is driving doctors away. There is a huge disparity in payment between Ondo and Ogun States.
“Doctors will go to states that are giving doctors good welfare packages, but they are worsening the terrible welfare here.
“The issues are illegal deductions from our salary and the humongous taxes we are paying. It is killing the system and driving doctors away.
“The hospital was disconnected from the national grid, and we were sleeping and working in the dark,” Mathew said.
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