Ondo doctors warning strike enters day two as health workers protest neglect, unpaid allowances and staff shortages across state hospitals

The Ondo doctors warning strike has brought medical services to a standstill in state-owned hospitals as practitioners protest poor conditions and government inaction.

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On Monday, the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners in Ondo State commenced a three-day warning strike, citing gross neglect of the health sector by the state government.

In a joint statement, State Chairman Dr Richard Obe and Secretary Dr Adekunle Owolabi decried the acute shortage of doctors, claiming some hospitals are left with just one practitioner per local government area.

The doctors also protested the non-payment of salaries and allowances to eight new doctors hired in October 2024, along with an unexplained rise in taxation since April 2025.

“We have unresolved issues including unpaid hazard allowances for Q4 2023 and January 2024, unpaid promotion arrears, and salary shortfalls,” the statement said.

The Ondo doctors warning strike follows a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which the group claims was ignored.

Their demands include the immediate recruitment of doctors in all 18 local government areas, payment of all outstanding salaries, reversal of the recent tax increase, and settlement of promotion arrears.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Special Adviser on Health, Professor Simidele Odimayo, said steps are already being taken.

“We have started paying the arrears because the governor has given instruction for the release of funds,” he said.

Addressing the personnel shortage, Odimayo noted, “The government can’t manufacture doctors. But we are ready to employ those available.”

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Despite assurances, the association warned of a possible indefinite strike if urgent action is not taken, raising fears of a deeper collapse in Ondo’s already strained public health system.