Osun Doctors Protest Aregbesola's Stance On Salary/Welfare, Vow To Embark On Total Strike

Protesting Members of the Nigerian Medical Association, Thursday in Osogbo.

Doctors under the Umbrella of the Nigerian medical Association NMA ,Osun state chapter Thursday morning embarked on a protest in Osogbo, the state capital to condemned what they called "nonchalant attitude" of Government towards their plights.

The protest which which is the second one within a space of three weeks disrupted vehicular movements along Fagbewesa, Olaiya Asubiaro to the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo lasted for almost three hours.

The Doctors threatened to embark on an industrial action in all the state Hospitals if their demands are not met soon.

While addressing journalists Chairman of NMA in the State, Dr Olajumoke Tokunbo said their protest was not to demand full payment of their salaries alone but for better condition of all state Hospitals in the State.

Dr Tokunbo said it was unfortunate that the state Government recently claimed it has spent over ten billion naira to equip the Hospitals when paracetamol is the only free drug patients could get there.

He demanded full payment of their arrears of salary as well as stoppage of obnoxious tax being deducted from their monthly pay.

At the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo where the Doctors later proceeded to, to register their grievances, Oba Jimoh  Olanipekun promised to discuss the matter among other traditional rulers in the state and put it before Government.

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Health, Mr Rafiu Isamotu promised to convene a meeting which would include representatives of the Doctors to address the issue of obnoxious tax regime.

Dr Isamotu maintained that the Governor has approved recruitment of more Doctor, Nurses and other Health workers to complement those in the system.

He also noted that more equipments have been purchased to be distributed to all the State Hospitals within the next few months.

Osun state government and the members of the Nigerian Medical Association in the state, have been at loggerheads for several months on issues bothering on salaries and welfare.