Ogun Doctors Declare Three-day Warning Strike Amid COVID-19

The Association of Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, says its members will commence a three-day warning strike on Monday.

The warning strike by the association, whose members manage the isolation centers for the state government, is coming amidst the ravaging coronavirus in the state and the country.

The ARD OOUTH in a letter written to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, a copy which was obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, explained that the warning strike became imperative following the alleged refusal of the government to yield to its agitations on the need to better its members’ welfare.

The letter was jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the Association, Popoola Mutiu, and Osundara Tope, respectively.

They added that the association would review the response of the government after the three-day warning strike.

The letter read in part, “We have a human face and we know people are the basis of our practice as medical professionals. We shall, therefore, exclude our members working at COVID-19 isolation center from joining the strike action. They shall not take part in the strike.

“Following the three-day warning strike, we shall review the government’s response and appropriate action shall be taken thereafter.

“The whole house is very much displeased with the government on issues that bother on our agitations and welfare.

“We are perturbed with the non-committal response from the government despite repeated calls and letters to get their attention.

“There has been no commitment whatsoever from the government on the issue of Appropriate Remuneration, Entry Level, New Minimum Wage, Hazard allowance, and Life Insurance for our members.

“No response to the letter written by the National Body of the Association of Resident Doctors notifying Ogun State Government on the aberration concerning the Appropriate

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“Despite the inadequate response of Ogun State Government to the Health risks confronted by our members during this COVID-19 pandemic, our members went ahead to continue their work diligently in their various departments and at the Isolation Centre.

“We were taken aback by the arbitrary change in only hazard allowance to be given as COVID-19 Special Hazard Allowance to all health workers. The 200 percent increase in hazard allowance is just an increase from N5000 to N15,000 for just the month of April.