Ondo State medical doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) have embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest the state government’s continued neglect of the health sector and the worsening welfare conditions of doctors.
The strike, which began on Monday, has disrupted medical services across all government-owned hospitals in the state, leaving patients stranded and health workers overwhelmed.
In a joint statement signed by the association’s Chairman, Dr. Richard Obe, and Secretary, Dr. Adekunle Owolabi, the doctors lamented the acute shortage of medical personnel, revealing that in some local government areas, a single doctor is responsible for running an entire facility.
They also decried the failure of the government to pay the salaries and allowances of eight doctors who were employed in October 2024.
According to the statement, other issues include a steep and unilateral increase in taxation since April 2025, unpaid hazard allowances for October to December 2023 and January 2024, as well as promotion arrears between June and December 2024.
Salary shortfalls and outstanding allowances for other doctors were also listed among their grievances.
The association warned that should the government continue to ignore their demands, the current warning strike could escalate into a full and indefinite industrial action, which could collapse the already strained state healthcare system.
Their demands include: Immediate recruitment of doctors across the state’s 18 local government areas,
Full payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, and promotion entitlements,
Reversal of the new tax regime introduced in April 2025, and
Resolution of all welfare-related issues affecting their members.
The doctors recalled that a 14-working-day ultimatum had previously been issued to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration, but the government failed to respond, forcing them to proceed with the warning strike.
In reaction to the situation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Professor Simidele Odimayo, said that the state government is already working to resolve the crisis. He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa has ordered the release of funds to begin payment of the arrears.
“We have started addressing their concerns. Payment of arrears is already in progress as directed by the governor,” Odimayo stated.
Regarding the shortage of personnel, he said the government had advertised job openings and hired available applicants. “If the doctors have qualified candidates they want the government to employ, they should present them. We are ready to recruit immediately. However, we cannot manufacture doctors,” he added.