On Monday, medical doctors employed by the Kwara State Government began a seven-day warning strike to urge their demands for better working conditions.
Under the auspices of the Kwara section of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, all doctors in the state’s 16 local government areas have agreed to take seven days off work.
Dr. Saka Agboola, the association’s chairman, told journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday that members have had enough patience with the government.
He said, “It has reached a point that the wellbeing of doctors in Kwara State has to be seriously looked into.
“We have responsibilities to our families, our neighbors, and even to our patients. There is the need to remunerate the doctors to get efficient output.
“This is the more reason why we have engaged the government at different fora for it to meet our demands.
“But it is unfortunate that at the expiration of the ultimatum given, we have not been able to reach a comfortable agreement.”
The one-week strike, according to Agboola, will allow the government to re-engage the association.
Mr. Sa’ad Aluko, the Director-General of the state Hospital Management Bureau, responded by saying that the government has been working hard to accommodate the physicians’ demands.
He noted that government officials met with the association’s leadership to discuss possible solutions.
According to him, the state government has already agreed to a 70% rise rather than the 100% demanded by the association.
“Everything has to be looked into based on the overall algorithm and Internally Generated Revenue,” Aluko remarked.
Ada Peter
