Ondo State Doctors Embark on 3-Day Warning Strike Over Unmet Demands

Strategic Insights -

Ondo state's fragile health system is bracing for a potential collapse as the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has called for a three-day warning strike. The strike, commencing next Monday, is aimed at pressuring the state government to address the doctors' grievances. The doctors' demands include the recruitment of more medical personnel, full payment of salary arrears and allowances, reversal of a new tax regime, payment of owed hazard allowances, and settlement of promotion arrears.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) is embarking on a three-day warning strike from next Monday, shutting down hospitals across Ondo State.
  • The strike is in response to the state government's failure to address the doctors' demands, including the recruitment of more medical personnel, payment of salary arrears and allowances, and reversal of a new tax regime.
  • The doctors highlighted a severe shortage of medical personnel, with some general hospitals operating with just one doctor for an entire local government area, making the system unsustainable and putting lives at risk.
  • The doctors are specifically demanding unpaid hazard allowances from October to December 2023 and January 2024, as well as outstanding promotion arrears from June to December 2024.
  • The NAGGMDP chairman and secretary, Dr. Richard Obe and Dr. Adekunle Owolabi, stated that the state government ignored a 14-day ultimatum issued on July 1, 2025, while also increasing taxation without prior consultation.
  • The association is demanding immediate recruitment of more doctors, full payment of salary arrears, reversal of the new tax regime, payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, payment of owed hazard allowances, and settlement of promotion arrears.

Statistics:

  • The strike covers hospitals across Ondo State, with the doctors citing the crippling shortage of medical personnel as a core issue.
  • Some general hospitals operate with just one doctor for an entire local government area.
  • Eight newly recruited doctors have only received partial payment in February 2025 without any allowances.
  • The doctors are owed unpaid hazard allowances from October to December 2023 and January 2024.
  • The NAGGMDP is demanding outstanding promotion arrears from June to December 2024.

Sources:

  • A statement by the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), signed by Chairman Dr. Richard Obe and Secretary Dr. Adekunle Owolabi.
  • Repeated letters and a 14-day ultimatum issued to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
  • The statement also condemned a sudden increase in taxation from April 2025 without prior consultation.