Kwara State PDP has expressed concern over the ongoing warning strike by medical doctors in the state, describing the development as a serious threat to healthcare delivery which demands the immediate intervention of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The party accused the governor of showing indifference ‘even as the strike is entering its third day’.
PDP noted that the industrial action followed repeated warnings and a 14-day ultimatum to the state government over unresolved grievances, including alleged arbitrary salary deductions, manpower shortages, and the failure to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), among other outstanding welfare concerns.
In a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara, PDP described the situation as unacceptable, particularly at a time when doctors are grappling with increasing workloads, inadequate medical infrastructure and poor remuneration.
‘We’ve studied the grievances of the doctors and we believe they are genuine and deserve urgent attention and not cold silence that the government is giving them .It is unfortunate that doctors who bear the enormous responsibility of protecting lives are reportedly facing unreasonable salary deductions while working under difficult conditions.
The government had 14 days to address these concerns before the warning strike commenced. A responsible administration should have used that window to engage the doctors, resolve the outstanding issues and prevent any disruption to healthcare services’ the statement said.
PDP sympathized with the doctors and other health workers across the state who according to the party continue to work under challenging conditions recalling that Kwara was once regarded as a destination for medical services by patients from neighbouring states, expressing concern that inadequate investment, poor working conditions and the continued departure of medical personnel could further undermine the state’s healthcare system.
‘Our party is disturbed that Kwara has only about 362 medical doctors serving a population of approximately 4.2 million, compared with an estimated 1,500 doctors in neighbouring Osun State with lower population. The shortage of doctors, coupled poor remuneration and medical infrastructure, makes it increasingly difficult for Kwara to retain experienced professionals or attract new ones.
Unless the government takes deliberate steps to improve working conditions of healthcare workers ,Kwara risks further depletion of its medical workforce and a deterioration in access to essential healthcare services’ the statement added
The party noted that doctors perform a highly sensitive and indispensable role in society, warning that prolonged industrial action can place patients, particularly those requiring emergency and specialist care, at greater risk while urging the government to take swift and practical measures to ensure an end to the strike-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
