Photo: Lawrence Afolabi
Medical doctors in the services of Kwara State Government have embarked on a seven-day warning strike, to press for improved welfare and working conditions.
The medical doctors under the auspices of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Kwara State branch said the strike action became imperative due to the insensitivity of government to address the plights of members.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, after a Congress of the association, Chairman of the Association, Dr. Saka Ismail Agboola, said the association had no choice than to embark on the warning, beginning from today, after several extensions of the ultimatum, the last which elapsed today.
He noted that though, the decision was painful but was unanimously agreed upon by the congress to create room for engagement with the government on some of their agitation, which includes good conditions of service, especially in the payment of new remuneration to the members of the union.
Reacting to the development, Director General of the Kwara State Hospital Management Bureau, Mr Sa’ad Aluko, said the government was making efforts to resolve the demands of the doctors.
He said the state government had already agreed to a 70% increase out of the 100 percent that was being agitated for by the association and had set up a committee to look at a balance between what was requested for and that which the government offered.
Reporting by Lawrence Afolabi; editing by Daniel Adejo.