Medical doctors in Ogun State, represented by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have initiated an indefinite strike due to ongoing issues related to pay disparities between federal and state medical workers.
Dr. Azeem Kunle Ashimi, Chairman of the Ogun State Medical Association, announced the strike during a press briefing at the association’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Tuesday. He indicated that the decision followed a failed three-day warning strike.
Ashimi noted that the strike, which commenced on August 3, 2024, aims to address the salary gap between federal and state medical staff. He expressed frustration at the lack of compromise from the government, despite ongoing discussions about minimum wage and related issues.
“The core of our grievances revolves around the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which we believe is crucial to retaining medical professionals in Ogun State,” Ashimi said. “The disparity in pay is causing a significant loss of doctors, and implementing the reviewed CONMESS would help retain our medical workforce.”
Over the past two years, the NMA has introduced several measures to support medical personnel, including facilitating land access for housing and establishing a cooperative society for savings. Despite these efforts, Ashimi emphasized that aligning state workers’ salaries with federal counterparts remains essential for retaining doctors.
He concluded by expressing concern over the increasing number of doctors leaving Nigeria and urged that Ogun State, as the gateway state, should work towards resolving the issue promptly to minimize the impact of the strike.
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