Medical doctors in Ondo State, who are members of the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners, have started a three-day warning strike to protest what they say is the state government’s gross neglect of the health sector.
The strike, which started on Monday, has stopped medical services in all of the state’s government-owned hospitals.
Dr. Richard Obe, the State Chairman, and Dr. Adekunle Owolabi, the Secretary, both signed a statement in which the doctors complained about the lack of staff. They said that some hospitals only have one doctor per local government.
They also complained that eight doctors who were hired in October 2024 had not been paid their salaries and allowances, and that taxes had gone up since April 2025 without any prior notice.
Others encompass unpaid hazard allowances for the period of October to December 2023 and January 2024, pending promotion arrears from June to December 2024, as well as salary deficits and unpaid allowances for additional members,” the statement mentioned.The association cautioned that if their demands are not met, it could result in an indefinite and complete industrial action, which may potentially debilitate the already fragile state health system.
Their demands encompass the urgent hiring of additional doctors throughout the 18 local government areas, the payment of all pending salaries and statutory allowances, the revocation of the new tax policy, and the clearance of promotion arrears.
They are urgently calling for the recruitment of additional doctors across the 18 local government areas, the settlement of all outstanding salaries and statutory allowances, the repeal of the new tax policy, and the resolution of promotion arrears.
