Resident doctors working at the COVID-19 isolation center at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, have embarked on indefinite industrial action.
Members of the hospital’s Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), consisting of resident physicians, medical officers and house officers, began the strike on July 1, but doctors in the isolation centers were exempted.
The strike action followed letters to the state government and a series of protests about the State government ‘s refusal of their demands.
Any of the demands of the doctors cover non-implementation of the current minimum wage, hazard allowance, inadequate remuneration, low entry level and the absence of a life insurance scheme for its members.
According to the doctors, the state government ‘s alleged refusal to attend appropriately to earlier warning letters had shown that the government was less concerned about their plight.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the doctors left the isolation centre following the directive by the Association of Resident Doctors, OOUTH, Sagamu.
They were instructed to leave their duty posts at the isolation centre and join the indefinite strike.
This was confirmed in a joint statement signed by the president of ARD, Popoola Mutiu, and the secretary, Osundara Tope.
In the statement, the association said it has rescinded its decision to continue work and asked its members to leave the isolation center in protest against the state government ‘s alleged mistreatment of its members.
“Since the government has chosen to simply rub the issues without any form of real commitment, our members working at the COVID – 19 Isolation Centre will henceforth join the Industrial action.
“We expect the government not to dethrone reasoning or shirk from responsibility expected of a considerate, sincere and truthful government. We call on the Ogun State government not to leave us up a creek without a paddle.
“Our service to the people should not be abridged by the ineptitude of the government. We work for the common good and sound health of the people of Ogun State,” the statement reads.
