Ondo Doctors Give Notice Of Warning Strike

By Ayodele Oni

Medical doctors in Ondo State, under the aegis of the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), have declared a three-day warning strike starting from Monday, July 14, 2025.

The strike is in response to what the doctors described as gross neglect of the health sector and the welfare of medical professionals by the State Government.

According to a statement signed by Dr. Richard Obe, Chairman of the NAGGMDP, and Dr. Adekunle Owolabi, Secretary, the doctors have several grievances against the state government.

These include a crippling shortage of medical personnel, with some general hospitals operating with just one doctor per entire local government area. The doctors also condemned a sudden increase in taxation from April 2025 without prior consultation.

Others are non-payment of salaries and allowances to eight newly recruited doctors employed since October 2024, and unpaid hazard allowances for October to December 2023 and January 2024.

They also mentioned outstanding promotion arrears from June to December 2024, and salary shortfalls as well as unpaid allowances for other members.

The NAGGMDP called for immediate recruitment of more doctors across Ondo State, full payment of salary arrears and statutory allowances, reversal of the new tax regime and

It warned that failure to address these demands during the warning strike would result in an indefinite industrial action, with widespread consequences for the state’s already fragile health system.

While assuring the public of their commitment to healthcare delivery, the doctors emphasized that they could no longer continue to work under such difficult conditions.

The NAGGMDP had issued a 14-working-day ultimatum to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which expired on July 1, 2025.

However, the state government ignored the ultimatum, prompting the doctors to declare the warning strike.