Ogun doctors threaten strike

Medical doctors in the employ of Ogun state government, yesterday vowed to embark on an indefi nite industrial action by August, if the state government continues to ignore their demands. Th e doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical Practitioners (NAGGMDP), made the threat during a news conference in Abeokuta. Th e association said the continued failure of the state government to accede to their requests would force them to withdraw their services, totally, by September. State branch chairman of the association, Oladunni Adetola, said NAGGMDP was dissatisfi ed with the state of health infrastructure, equipment and dearth of medical personnel in the state hospitals. “Th e condition in the state general hospitals across all the zones is weighing on the poor health indices of the state. “Most of our equipment and machines are grounded. Suctioning machine, oxygen concentrator and suturing instrument needed for emergency service are not available. “Some of the structures actually need to be demolished and rebuilt. A good example is General Hospital, Itori, which has cracked walls everywhere. “Also, the progressive reduction in personnel arising from statutory and voluntary retirement of some staff has put pressure on the available health workers,” Adetola said. (Premium Times)