Just In: Ondo NMA shelves Doctors’ strike after Aiyedatiwa’s intervention

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has shelved its proposed strike in Ondo State after the timely intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Below is the full text of the communique where the decision was taken;

COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING (EGM) OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, ONDO STATE, HELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH, 2024, AT THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (DOCTORS’ HOUSE), IGBATORO ROAD, AKURE.

The Emergency General Meeting was called following the expiration of the seven (7) days ultimatum given to Ondo State government to address the numerous problems bedeviling the state health sector. The Emergency General Meeting (EGM) observed the following:

1. That Ondo State Government pledged to expedite the recruitment process of health personnel to address the dire shortage of healthcare workers in the state. This commitment was made during a meeting convened today at the instance of the state governor, held in the Deputy Governor’s office. The meeting was led by His Excellency, Hon. Olayide Adelami, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, (on behalf of His Excellency Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Executive Governor of Ondo state), who was unavoidably absent due to prior engagements.
2. That the meeting, held between 11:00 am and 12:45 pm, was attended by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Olayide Adelami; Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Olaniyi Ogundele; Accountant General of the State, Mrs. Esther Oni; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Mrs. Dare Atunse; Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State, Dr. Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe; Secretary NMA, Ondo State, Dr. Adeayo Omotehinse; Public Relations Officer of Ondo NMA, Dr. Adeniyi Adetayo; Chairman MDCAN ODSGH, Dr. R.S Omotayo; Chairman NAGGMDP, Ondo State, Dr. Olugbenga Makinde; and former Chairman NMA Ondo State, Dr. O.S Adekolurejo (2004-2006).
3. That the EGM noted the commitment of the Ondo State Government to address salary disparities between doctors working in Ondo State and those inneighbouring states, such as Ekiti State.
4. That a committee, in which NMA Ondo State will be fully involved, will be established to address salary disparities. The inaugural meeting of this committee is scheduled to be held on or before February 27th, 2024.
5. That the government of Ondo State also pledged to pay two months’ arrears of hazard allowance with the March 2024 salaries. Subsequent arrears of the hazard allowance will be paid over a period of three months thereafter.
6. The General Emergency Congress acknowledged the government’s request for the Association to refrain from industrial action and to equally trust in the government’s commitment to resolve these challenges comprehensively, with the aim of restoring the Ondo State health sector to its rightful position among
   Nigerian states.
7. That the Congress noted the government’s commitment towards addressing the ongoing infrastructural decay in state-owned hospitals and health institutions by renovating, properly maintaining, or replacing decaying infrastructures as necessary.
8. That the EGM acknowledged the government’s commitment to acquiring new hospital equipment and replacing faulty ones.

The Emergency General Meeting, after extensive deliberations, reached the following resolutions:

1. As a mark of respect and honour to the office of the Ondo State Governor, His Excellency Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who personally called for the meeting and was represented by His Deputy, His Excellency Hon. Olayide Adelami, the Congress, resolved to give the Ondo State Government the benefit of the doubt
   and allow for industrial harmony in the health sector.
2. The Congress resolved to await the end of March 2024, as promised by the Ondo State Government, for the payment of two months’ arrears of hazard allowance, and subsequent arrears as approved and circularized from October 2023, within three months thereafter.
3. That the Congress also resolved to give the State Government time, as agreed, to set up the committee that will address salary disparities between doctors working in Ondo State and those working in neighboring states and the federal government.
4. The EGM expressed the belief that the government will address all other factors [point of entry, reviewed CONMESS, and other welfare issues] discouraging doctors from seeking employment with the State, as agreed in the meeting held on February 16th, 2024.
5. That the Emergency General Meeting resolved to suspend the planned industrial action until further notice.
6. That the Congress further resolved that it will not issue any notice of industrial action if no action is taken after the expiration of the agreed timeline for the commencement of payment of hazard allowance arrears.
   Finally, we must once again show gratitude to all our members still working for the state government despite all these discouraging challenges.

Long live the Nigerian Medical Association, Ondo State.
Long live Ondo State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dr. Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe

Chairman, NMA Ondo State.

Dr. Adeayo Omotehinse
Secretary, NMA Ondo State.