Medical doctors under the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) in Ondo State have embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest what they describe as severe neglect of the health sector by the state government.
The strike, which began on Monday, has significantly disrupted healthcare services in government-run hospitals throughout the state.
In a joint statement issued by the association’s State Chairman, Dr. Richard Obe, and Secretary, Dr. Adekunle Owolabi, the doctors expressed concern over the dire shortage of medical staff, revealing that some hospitals are left with just one doctor per local government area.
They also condemned the government’s failure to pay salaries and allowances to eight doctors recruited in October 2024, as well as a recent hike in taxes since April 2025, which was introduced without consultation.
Additional grievances listed include unpaid hazard allowances for the months of October to December 2023 and January 2024, unfulfilled promotion arrears from June to December 2024, and other salary discrepancies affecting members of the association.
The association warned that if their demands are not addressed promptly, they may escalate to an indefinite strike action—an outcome that could further destabilize the state’s already strained healthcare system.
Their key demands include the urgent recruitment of more medical personnel across all 18 local government areas, full payment of outstanding wages and statutory benefits, reversal of the increased tax regime, and the settlement of long-overdue promotion arrears.
The doctors recalled that they had previously issued a 14-working-day ultimatum to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration, but no meaningful response was received within that period.
Responding to the situation, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Professor Simidele Odimayo, stated that the government is already taking steps to resolve the issues raised.
He noted, “The governor has approved the payment of arrears, and steps are being taken to address the concerns.” On the issue of manpower shortages, Odimayo explained that the state had advertised available positions and hired applicants. “If the association has candidates they want considered, they should submit them. The government is willing to recruit but cannot create doctors out of thin air,” he added.
