Doctors in Ondo State under the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government over the poor welfare packages of doctors in the state.

The doctors threatened to embark on strike if the Ondo state government failed to meet their demands. This position was contained in the communique issued by the association after the Ordinary General Meeting of the association.

The doctors frowned over the continued departure of doctors from the state, poor welfare package, non-implementation of the approved hazard allowance and disparities in the salaries of doctors in the state when compared to other neighbouring states.

Chairman of the association in the state, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, in the communique said “There is a dire shortage of health personnel in the state, doctors have refused to take up employment with state government.

“It was observed that the state General hospitals located at Iwaro-Oka, Ipe, Irele, and Ido-Ani where we used to have at least 5 doctors per General hospital, now have a doctor per General hospital and this doctor is expected to be on call every day of the week and that same doctor is also expected to see to the day to day running of the hospital.

“The OGM observed with great concern the continued decay of infrastructure in our general hospitals across the state and UNIMEDTHC, a teaching hospital.  It also notes the gap in the existence of equipment in these health facilities and institutions”.

The doctors, therefore resolved that, “as a matter of urgency, the state government should fast track the recruitment of health personnel in the state.

“The Congress resolved that the huge disparities in the salaries of doctors in Ondo State Civil Service (an oil producing state) and that of the neighbouring states especially Ekiti state ( created out of Ondo state and a non-oil producing state) should be looked into with a view to bridging the gap, without further delay.

“The State Government should as a matter of urgency set up a committee to enter into negotiation for the implementations of these noted disparity.

“The congress also resolved to give an ultimatum of seven- days to the Government of Ondo State to implement the approved hazard allowance. This being the lowest-hanging fruit.

“That failure to implement this after the expiration of the seven days, the relative industrial harmony in the state health sector shall no longer be guaranteed.

“The Congress shall reconvene after the expiration of the stated period to chart a way forward”.