Posted on: Mon 04-05-2020

The Association of Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, on Sunday announced the commencement of a three-day warning strike.

The strike by the association whose members manage the isolation centre for the state government was called amidst the ravaging coronavirus in the state and the country. The ARD OOUTH in a letter written to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, explained that the warning strike became imperative following the alleged refusal of the government to yield to its  agitation for better welfare of members.

The letter, which was jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the association, Dr Popoola Mutiu and Dr. Osundara Tope, respectively, stated that the association decided to down tools because of the noncommittal response to several letters written to the government.

The association said there was the need for the government to provide appropriate remuneration for workers at the OOUTH. It described the increase in hazard allowance from N5,000 to N15,000 as a charade.

The letter read in part, “Despite the inadequate response of the Ogun State Government to the health risks confronted by our members during this COVID-19 pandemic, our members went ahead to continue their work diligently in their various departments and at the isolation centre.

“We were taken aback by the arbitrary change in only hazard allowance to be given as COVID-19 special hazard allowance to all health workers. The 200% increase in hazard allowance is just an increase from N5,000 to N15,000 for just the month of April.”

The doctors, however, said their members working at the COVID-19 isolation centre would be excused from the action. They added that the association would review the response of the government after the three day warning strike to determine the next line of action.

Source: Punch

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