Ondo Doctors Declare Three-Day Warning Strike Over Alleged Neglect

Medical doctors in government service in Ondo State, under the umbrella body of the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), have declared a three-day warning strike starting from Monday, July 14, 2025.

The strike is in response to what the doctors described as gross neglect of the Health sector and the welfare of medical professionals by the Ondo State Government.

The doctors disclosed their grievances with the government in a statement signed by the chairman of the state chapter of NAGGMDP, Richard Obe, and the secretary, Adekunle Owolabi.

According to the statement, the grievances include:

– Shortage of medical personnel, with some general hospitals operating with just one doctor per entire local government area. The doctors also condemned a sudden increase in taxation from April 2025 without prior consultation.

– Non-payment of salaries and allowances to eight newly recruited doctors employed since October 2024

– Unpaid hazard allowances for October to December 2023 and January 2024

– Outstanding promotion arrears from June to December 2024

– Salary shortfalls and unpaid allowances for other members

The NAGGMDP is demanding immediate action from the state government to address these issues.

These include:

– Immediate recruitment of more doctors across Ondo State

– Full payment of salary arrears and statutory allowances

– Reversal of the new tax regime

– Payment of outstanding salaries and allowances for newly employed officers

– Payment of owed hazard allowances and settlement of promotion arrears for eligible members

The doctors warned that failure to address these demands during the warning strike would result in an indefinite industrial action, with widespread consequences for the state’s already fragile Health system.

They assured members of the public of their commitment to healthcare delivery, emphasizing that they could no longer continue to work under such difficult conditions.

The NAGGMDP noted that it had earlier issued a 14-working-day ultimatum to the State government, which expired on July 1, 2025.