Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo, commenced an indefinite strike over what they describe as poor working conditions.
The resident doctors initiated the strike on Monday after hospital management failed to address their demands.
Among the key grievances are illegal salary deductions, high tax payments, non-payment of hazard allowances, and excessive workloads.
Dr. Olaogbe Kehinde, President of the UNIMEDTH ARD, highlighted that the hospital’s working conditions had led to numerous resignations, with many doctors leaving the hospital without prior notice.
He explained that the hospital management had failed to respond to requests for improvements to their working environment.
“The decision to go on strike was not easy, but we had no choice due to the failure to address critical issues affecting our members and the quality of healthcare services,” Dr. Olaogbe said.
“We can no longer work under conditions that undermine our well-being and compromise patient care,” he continued.
He also called on the state government to ensure the prompt payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, as well as improve working conditions across the state’s three medical centers.
He urged the government to address irregularities in salary payments, implement the new minimum wage scale, and ensure parity with other tertiary hospitals in the country.
“We regret the inconvenience this strike may cause to patients, but we have been left with no option,” Dr. Olaogbe added.
Dr. John Matthew, the immediate past president of the striking doctors, emphasized that the salary disparity between Ondo State and other states was a significant issue.
He explained that many doctors had left the state for better pay and welfare in other regions, especially due to illegal salary deductions and taxes.
“The situation is unsustainable. Doctors are leaving because of poor welfare, and the disparity in payments between Ondo and states like Ogun is huge,” Dr. Matthew stated.
“The illegal deductions and high taxes are crippling the system, and many of us are forced to work in suboptimal conditions, including being disconnected from the national grid and working in the dark,” he added.
In response to the strike, Dr. Gbala Michael, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, appealed to the striking doctors for more time to address their grievances, promising to take necessary steps toward resolving the issues raised.
