The National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners has voiced its worries about the present doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano State, announcing its readiness to go on industrial strike starting October 1.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the association’s secretary in Kano, Dr. Anas Idris Hassan, revealed that their requests remain unfulfilled despite reaching a deal with the Kano State Government in June.
Hassan pointed out that the government has not taken action on the matter of hazard allowance, particularly the COVID-19 allowance, which has been distributed by the federal government since 2021 but has yet to reach the Kano medical staff.
He also brought up the issue of unpaid salaries for newly hired medical doctors by the Kano State Government in September 2023.
Furthermore, the medical professionals raised concerns about the poor condition of Kano hospitals and the shortage of essential equipment, emphasizing the immediate need to tackle these problems.
Hassan stressed the severe shortage of doctors in Kano, with a ratio of one doctor to 33,000 patients, which is far below the World Health Organization’s recommended standard.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet its pending demands as contained in the agreements between both parties or risk facing a fresh strike action.
ASUU, in a statement on Wednesday by its president, Professor Emmanuel Osodoke, accused the federal government of not showing commitment to executing the agreements with the union, some of which date as far back as 2009.
It urged the government to pay the withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action and stop exhibiting delay tactics.
The University academic union is also seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.
ASUU, in its statement on Wednesday, said if its demands are not satisfactorily met in two weeks time, its members will embark on strike, which would cripple academic activities in the nation’s public universities.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.
“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud,” ASUU said
ASUU is also demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
Its demands also include funding for the revitalization of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.