Doctors in Ogun state have declared an indefinite strike action which commences today.

The doctors in the state, according to the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Oladunni Adetola, have made repeated calls to the government to improve the failing standard of the health system.

Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, Adetola announced the resolution of the doctors to go on strike till the government listens to them.

According to the association, the strike will be effective only on Mondays and Tuesdays until it is called off.

The doctors demanded of the government the recruitment of more doctors, provision of drugs in hospital pharmacies, improved condition of service, and improvement of basic infrastructure at the state hospitals.

Adetola said, “Imagine a general hospital having only a doctor covering it. Most of our hospitals have less than half of the personnel they had about seven to eight years ago.”

“The laboratories are not equipped and common essential drugs are not available at the pharmacies, thereby pushing the citizens to buy substandard drugs from outside the hospitals.”

He revealed that “Series of letters to call the attention of the government to this anomaly have been written before now.”

“The effect is glaring in the poor health indices of the state.”

“As a professional body, we should justify the confidence reposed in us. Health is a right and Ogun State citizens deserve the best. It was resolved at an emergency general meeting of the association that members should commence on a Monday and Tuesday strike every week starting from Monday 13th June till above mentioned problems are corrected.”

Adebayo Emuleomo