The Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has suspended its 27-day strike, which had severely impacted medical services at state-owned healthcare facilities. The suspension was announced on Friday following an emergency general meeting held from August 27 to August 29 in Abeokuta.
Dr. Ogunjimi Luqman, Chairman of the NMA in Ogun State, made the announcement at a press conference at the association’s state secretariat. He explained that the strike, which began on August 3, was in response to the state government’s failure to implement the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), a wage increase that had been applied to federal medical workers since June 2023.
The decision to suspend the strike was driven by the hardship experienced by the public during the strike. The NMA has agreed to a four-week suspension, during which time the situation will be reassessed and further action considered.
Dr. Luqman emphasized that the suspension is intended to facilitate constructive dialogue with the Ogun State government. “The congress acknowledges the severe impact on the people of Ogun State due to the disruption in medical services. We have opted to suspend the strike for four weeks to allow for meaningful discussions and negotiations with the state government,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the emergency general meeting reviewed the strike’s effectiveness, members’ compliance, and progress in negotiations with the state government. Despite ongoing efforts, the issue of wage disparity remains unresolved. Doctors are expected to resume work on Monday, September 2, 2024, at 8 a.m. The NMA has urged the Ogun State government to take this opportunity to address their demands and prevent the strike from resuming.
Dr. Luqman warned that the government’s response would influence the outcome of the review when the NMA reconvenes on September 30, 2024. “We hope that the state government will use this opportunity to resolve the issues at hand. Our members are dedicated to serving the public, but they cannot continue to do so under the current circumstances. We expect the government to meet our demands and avoid further industrial disharmony,” he concluded.
