Unpaid salary arrears: Osun NMA issues another 7-day ultimatum

As the 21-day ultimatum issued to the Osun State government by the members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) expired today (Monday), the chairman of the body, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke has said another 7-day ultimatum had been given to Governor Rauf Aregbesola to urgently address their plights.

The doctors were demanding for quick revitalisation of the health sector in the state, which they claimed had been run aground due to poor infrastructural facilities and  pitiable welfare of medical personnel, including the nonpayment of salary arrears.

Speaking during an exclusive chat with the Tribune Online yesterday, the chairman of the NMA in Osun, Dr Olajumoke said another 7-day ultimatum issued on Monday after the association executive to appraise the development was to give window of opportunities for dialogue with the government.

According to him, we have issued another 7-day ultimatum to create room for the government in exploring dialogue as an option, considering our concern for the interest of the general public.

Olajumoke stated that “the government has been paying doctors about 30% of their entire monthly salary. We are only getting 30% of our salaries since June, 2015. That is on one hand. If you calculate it, it is more than two years ago that our members have been receiving 30% of their monthly salaries

He, however, said that if Governor Rauf Aregbesola led administration failed to utilise the opportunity to resolve the imbroglio, the NMA as a body would meet immediately after the expiration of the 7-day ultimatum and may decide to take appropriate steps in getting their demands actialised.

But, the Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Kusamotu appeals to the aggrieved doctors to be considerate with the government and also bear I mind the interest of the patients, across the medical facilities in the state.

In statement forwarded to our correspondent, Kusamotu said “the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola does not like strike. We consider the welfare of our people important and we take it seriously. We will do everything to improve on the welfare of the people. We appeal to our doctors to bear with us, reason with us and be considerate.”

“We have laid our cards on the table; there are so many things the doctors are demanding for, two of those things bothered on payment of salaries in 2015 when they were on strike and Revised CONMES. We have held meeting with the NMA and other stakeholders. We have engaged them unofficially too.”

“The government had been engaging the doctors since they gave 21 days ultimatum. We have told them what the government is doing and the two parties need to reach an agreement. Anyway, we will continue to discuss with them. I plead with the doctors to try to understand the position of the government; they should consider the patients in the hospital. We will do everything humanly possible to resolve the issue on time”, the Commissioner added.