Ogun Doctors Embark On Industrial Action Amid COVID-19 Scourge

Ogun State doctors on Saturday embarked on a three-day warning strike to press home their demands from the state government.

The affected doctors are those under the under of Association of Resident Doctors, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH)

The strike which began on Sunday is sequal to the completion of a 21- day ultimatum and another seven-day ultimatum issued to the state government on appropriate remuneration for doctors in OOUTH as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The President of the association, Dr. Mutiu Popoola, announced the  commencement of the job action in in a statement.

In the state titled Protect and appreciate doctors who put up their lives on line during this pandemic COVID-19 in Shagamu, Ogun State, Popoola said the agitation for proper renumeration of the doctors had been on for over four years.

He said: “We have been on this struggle for appropriate remuneration for over four years and it is unfortunate that government’s unwilling attitude to the welfare of doctors in OOUTH is unbecoming”.

Popoola said that there had been no concern from the government concerning the issue of appropriate remuneration, entry level, new minimum wage, hazard allowance and life insurance for our members.

He disclosed that despite the indifference of the state government to the plight and dangers they are exposed to in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the doctors had continued to carry out their duty with unwavering sense of committment.

He said that “despite the inadequate response of Ogun State Government to the health risks confronted by our members during this COVID-19 pandemic, our members went ahead to continue their work diligently in their various departments and at the isolation centre.

“We were taken aback by the arbitrary change in only hazard allowance to be given as COVID -19 Special Hazard Allowance to all health workers.

“The 200% increase in Hazard allowance is just an increase from N5000 to N15,000 for just the month of April,” he said.