The National Association of Government General
Medical and Dental Practitioners has asked Osun
State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, to withdraw the threat to sack doctors who are currently on strike.

The President, NAGG.MDP, Dr. Nurud-din Akindele,
said this in Osogbo on Thursday at a press
conference to address the association over the
seven-day ultimatum given the doctors on December 18.

Members of Association of Resident Doctors and
doctors in the state government-owned hospitals
have been on strike since September 28 over unpaid
salary issues.

The state government has been paying all workers 50 per cent of their salaries since June but the doctors said they wanted the state government to reach an agreement on when to pay the balance.

Akindele said, “The government of Osun State should, as a matter of urgency and in the interest of the public, invest in equipping the hospitals with up-to-date equipment, provide adequate manpower andmake the work environment more conducive.

“Government should withdraw their threat of sacking the doctors who are only demanding that which is their legitimate rights under labour laws.

“Government should put in place appropriate
machineries to address the issues listed as a matter
of urgency and in public interest.

“Failure of government to do the listed may result in
us having no choice but to mobilise all doctors in all
health institutions, such as teaching hospitals, private hospitals and local government hospitals in Osun State to embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of service. “

The NAGG called on citizens of the state to prevail on Aregbesola to drop the threat or be ready for a total and indefinite strike of all doctors throughout the state.