Suspend Your Industrial Action, Ekiti Begs Striking Doctors

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government has appealed to the resident doctors to suspend their indefinite strike embarked upon to protest against delay in the payment of salaries.

Medical practitioners under the auspices of Association of Resident Doctors, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital chapter, had last Wednesday declared indefinite strike to press home their demand for payment of their June salaries.

A statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, insisted that the welfare of health workers was a priority of the Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration.

Filani dispelled the insinuation that the state government doesn’t include health on its priority list, saying Fayemi has done creditably in the sector.

According to him, “It has come to the attention of the Government of Ekiti State that the Association of Resident Doctors, EKSUTH chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike reportedly premised on the unusual delayed payment of the June salary.

“This development is a source of concern, but we nonetheless appreciate the understanding of all government workers, especially our health workers, during this fiscally challenging time.

“Considering that we are still knee-deep in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, all medical and health practitioners are advised to remain calm and dedicated to duty, while efforts are being put in place to amicably resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

“The management of EKSUTH is hereby directed to ensure that there is hitch-free service delivery while the government continues to work closely with the Association of Resident Doctors and other relevant stakeholders to resolve this issue.

“Strike can be counterproductive, especially in the health sector. We, therefore, appeal to the striking workers to reconsider their position, and continue to engage the government on how best to resolve this industrial dispute.

“The state government wishes to state clearly that the welfare of the health and medical workers in the state is a major priority of the Fayemi-led administration.”