Ogun doctors embark on indefinite strike over salary disparity

Doctors in Ogun State, under the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), have begun an indefinite strike to protest salary disparity between federal and state medical workers.

The strike follows a three-day warning strike that ended on August 3.

Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of NMA, Dr. Azeem Ashimi, said the state government’s failure to address the concerns of doctors led to the indefinite strike.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach a compromise with the government. The government continues to plead that the issues of minimum wage and other related matters are common, but my people believe that we need to address the issues on the ground,” Ashimi said.

He explained that the core of the doctors’ grievances lies in the reviewed CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure), which they believe should be implemented to stem the exodus of medical professionals from Ogun State.

Ashimi noted that the pay disparity between federal and state medical doctors is one of the reasons doctors leave the state.

Ashimi said NMA would call off the strike if doctors see a strong commitment from the state government to implement CONMESS.

“We believe strongly that if the government can promise to pay this money in due time through a memorandum of understanding, we can go back to work. Verbal promises have often led to doubts, hence the need for something penned down,” he stated.