Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State.
The doctors who are members of the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) chanted solidarity songs and carried placards with various inscriptions.
The NMA Chairman, Dr. Abayomi Olajide, said the number of health workers in the state “is abysmally poor” while the health facilities “are nothing to write home about.”
The protesters, who demanded improved medical facilities, accused the state government of irregular payment of salaries and dues, as well as inadequate medical personnel and equipment.
He explained that they decided to take their grievances to the governor instead of embarking on strike, “so as not to worsen the already deplorable condition of the health sector.”
In Imo State, the state chapter of the NMA gave Governor Rochas Okorocha an ultimatum to revamp the health sector.The NMA Chairman, Dr. Darlington Akukwe, told journalists in Owerri on Tuesday, that the workers were being owed a backlog of salaries while the health facilities lacked basic requirement.
Responding, Okorocha explained that his administration had in the last six years, built 27 new general hospitals across the 27 local councils of the state.
He said his government was paying the health professionals higher than others in the state, including magistrates.Okorocha added that he recently built and furnished a 200-bed hospital, which he donated to the Nigerian Air Force in Ngor Opkala Local Council, while the army, navy and police had also been equally assisted.
The doctors in Ogun lambasted Amosun for not fulfilling his campaign promise of a qualitative healthcare, especially in meeting the needs of children below five years and pregnant women.
The Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, admitted that the health sector was facing some challenges.But he said: “It is uncharitable to say that Ogun State government had not done anything in the health sector.”
While blaming the situation on paucity of funds, he said the Amosun-led government inherited a deplorable health sector, but had recruited some personnel and improved infrastructure in the health sector.
The doctors also took their protest to the state House of Assembly where the Clerk of the House, Mr. Bisiriyu Lanre promised to “intervene appropriately.’
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