OOUTH doctors suspend strike after Ogun payment pledge

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OOUTH doctors suspend strike after Ogun payment pledgeThe Association of Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, has suspended its ongoing 10-day warning strike following assurances from the state government that its members’ professional allowances will be paid on or before July 31, 2026.

The association said the commitment was made during a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Saka, which was attended by the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association in Ogun State.

The President of the association, Dr John Omotoso, disclosed this in a statement issued at the end of an emergency meeting held on Wednesday and made available to journalists on Thursday.

Dr Omotoso said the association, after reviewing developments, resolved to suspend the warning strike and directed members to resume work by 8 a.m. on Thursday

He stated: “Following a thorough appraisal of the association’s demands and the progress made thus far, Congress resolved to suspend the ongoing industrial action, with the expectation that payment of the Professional Allowance will be effected and reflected in members’ accounts on or before 31st July, 2026.

“This follows meetings and dialogue with the Ogun State Government (the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi) and the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, in the presence of the NMA Ogun leadership.

“We hereby direct that our members should resume work by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, 25th June, 2026.”

Dr Omotoso said the association would convene an emergency general meeting on August 1, 2026, to review the situation and determine its next course of action.

The association warned against any form of victimisation, intimidation or harassment arising from the industrial action and urged members to promptly report such incidents to its leadership for appropriate intervention.

It also commended the prompt intervention of the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun in addressing issues that could disrupt healthcare delivery and residency training at the state-owned teaching hospital.

The doctors had commenced a 10-day warning strike on Tuesday over the non-payment of revised professional and specialist allowances, delayed training funds and worsening welfare conditions.

They noted that despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government, no Memorandum of Understanding had been signed and no firm commitment had been made regarding the implementation and payment of the revised professional and specialist allowances, including outstanding arrears.

The doctors also expressed dissatisfaction with delays in the payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, despite its domestication by the state government, as well as critical manpower shortages that have resulted in excessive workloads, burnout and prolonged working hours.

Other concerns raised by the doctors included recurrent security breaches, theft and burglary within the hospital environment, the poor condition of call rooms, and inadequate provision and quality of call meals for resident doctors.

 


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