On Friday, the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) announced the suspension of its 25-day strike. The decision came after considerable hardship faced by patients during the strike period, which had significantly disrupted medical services in the state.
Dr. Ogunjimi Luqman, the chairman of the Ogun State NMA, shared that the strike would be paused for four weeks. This temporary halt is intended to provide an opportunity for peaceful negotiations with the state government. Dr. Luqman emphasized that this decision followed an emergency general meeting that took place from August 27 to August 29, 2024, in Abeokuta.
The strike was originally launched in response to the state government’s failure to implement the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) wage. This salary structure has been in place for federal medical workers since June 2023, but it had not yet been adopted by the Ogun State government for its own medical staff. The NMA’s action was a push for equitable compensation for medical professionals in Ogun State, aligning with what is already provided to their federal counterparts.
During the emergency general meeting, the NMA assessed the impact and effectiveness of the strike. Members evaluated how well the strike had been implemented and reviewed the level of compliance among medical staff. The congress also took into account the progress made in ongoing negotiations with the state government. Despite the NMA’s executive efforts, the issue of wage disparity remained unresolved at that time.
Dr. Luqman revealed that doctors are expected to resume their duties starting at 8 am on Monday, September 2, 2024. This return to work marks the end of the initial strike phase. However, the association plans to reconvene on September 30, 2024, to assess the situation further. During this meeting, the NMA will evaluate the state government’s response to their demands and decide on any additional actions that may be necessary.
In his statement, Dr. Luqman underscored the severe impact that the strike had on the people of Ogun State. He acknowledged the disruption in medical services and expressed concern for the patients who were affected by the strike. The decision to suspend the strike was made with the intention of allowing for meaningful discussions and negotiations with the state government.
Dr. Luqman highlighted the importance of this period for the government to address the issues at hand. He stressed that the NMA hopes the state administration will use this opportunity to resolve the challenges faced by medical workers. He emphasized that while the members of the NMA are committed to serving the public, they cannot continue under the current conditions without adequate compensation. The NMA expects the government to meet their demands and prevent any further industrial discord.
The NMA’s action underscores the broader issue of The strikewage disparity and the need for equitable treatment of medical staff across different levels of government. The association’s leaders remain hopeful that the state government will act swiftly and responsibly to resolve the matter.
The Ogun State NMA has decided to suspend its 25-day strike to facilitate negotiations with the state government. The strike, which began due to the state’s failure to implement the updated salary structure, had caused significant disruption to medical services.
Doctors are set to return to work on September 2, 2024, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for September 30, 2024, to review the progress of negotiations and determine the next steps.
