Medical doctors in Ogun State, organized by the Nigerian Medical Association, have started an indefinite strike due to unresolved pay disparity issues between federal and state medical workers.

The Chairman of the NMA in Ogun State, Dr. Azeem Kunle Ashimi, announced the strike on Tuesday in Abeokuta. He explained that the decision to go on strike followed a failed 3-day warning strike.

“The strike began on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, to address the pay disparity between federal and state medical workers,” Dr. Ashimi said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach a compromise with the government.”

Ashimi added, “The government keeps saying that issues of minimum wage and related matters are common, but we need to focus on our specific problems.” He noted that the core issue for doctors is the implementation of the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

“The reviewed CONMESS is essential to stop the exodus of doctors from Ogun State,” Ashimi stressed. “If we get the reviewed CONMESS, it will help keep doctors from leaving.”

The NMA has already taken various steps over the past two years to retain medical personnel, including facilitating access to land for housing and starting a cooperative society for savings. Despite these efforts, Ashimi believes aligning state workers’ pay with federal pay is crucial.

“We’ve tried to help doctors feel a sense of belonging, but aligning state pay with federal pay would make a big difference,” Ashimi noted.

He expressed concern about the high rate of doctors leaving Nigeria, saying, “I’m not happy with how doctors are leaving Nigeria, especially from Ogun State where I practice. People are leaving in droves.”

Ashimi is hopeful that the government can quickly address the issue. “We believe strongly that if the government can promise to pay the reviewed CONMESS in a timely manner through a formal agreement, we can return to work. Verbal promises have often led to doubts, so we need something written down,” he concluded.