Medical doctors in government hospitals across Ondo State, under the aegis of the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), have declared a three-day warning strike, commencing on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Naijaonpoint understands that the health personnel are protesting what they described as the gross neglect of the health sector and worsening conditions of service for doctors in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter, Dr. Richard Obe, and the Secretary, Dr. Adekunle Owolabi.
The association decried the acute shortage of medical personnel in state hospitals, citing disturbing cases where a single doctor is running entire general hospitals in some local government areas.
It also condemned the sudden increase in taxation, which began in April 2025, without consultations with the doctors or relevant stakeholders.
“Our members are overwhelmed and overworked, and yet the government continues to burden us further with insensitive policies,” the doctors lamented.
The NAGGMDP listed the following pending issues fueling the strike action:
- Non-payment of salaries and allowances for eight newly recruited doctors employed since October 2024
- Unpaid hazard allowances for October to December 2023 and January 2024
- Outstanding promotion arrears from June to December 2024
- Salary shortfalls and unpaid statutory allowances for other members
- Reversal of the recently implemented tax hike
The group stressed that these issues have persisted despite repeated efforts to engage the government, including a 14-working-day ultimatum, which expired on July 1, 2025, without a satisfactory response.
To resolve the impasse, the doctors outlined clear demands for the Ondo State Government:
- Immediate recruitment of more doctors across public health facilities in the state
- Full payment of all outstanding salaries and statutory allowances
- Reversal of the new tax policy introduced in April
- Regularisation and payment for newly employed doctors
- Settlement of promotion arrears and hazard allowances
The medical experts warned that failure to address the outlined grievances before the end of the warning strike would leave the association with no choice but to embark on an indefinite strike, a move that could cripple healthcare delivery in the state.
“We are committed to providing quality healthcare to the people of Ondo State, but we can no longer continue to render services under such difficult and demoralising conditions,” the statement read.
The warning strike has already triggered concerns among residents and patients, many of whom fear a complete shutdown of services if the government fails to act swiftly.
With healthcare workers stretched thin and morale at a low, the NAGGMDP said it is time the government took decisive action to salvage what remains of the public health sector in the state.
However, as of press time, there was no official response from the Ondo State Government.