Medical doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) in Ondo State have declared a three-day warning strike beginning Monday, July 14, 2025, citing gross neglect of the health sector and the welfare of medical professionals by the state government.
In a statement signed by Dr. Richard Obe, Chairman of the NAGGMDP, and Dr. Adekunle Owolabi, Secretary, the association lamented that repeated letters and a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa were ignored.
The ultimatum, which expired on July 1, 2025, drew no official response.
One of the core issues raised is a crippling shortage of medical personnel, with some general hospitals operating with just one doctor per entire local government area.
This, the doctors say, is unsustainable and puts lives at risk, while overburdening the few available professionals.
The statement also condemned a sudden increase in taxation from April 2025 without prior consultation, and described as “unacceptable” the non-payment of salaries and allowances to eight newly recruited doctors employed since October 2024.
These doctors, according to the association, have only received a partial payment in February 2025 — without any allowances.
Additional grievances include:
Unpaid hazard allowances for October to December 2023 and January 2024.
Outstanding promotion arrears from June to December 2024.
Salary shortfalls and unpaid allowances for other members.
The NAGGMDP is demanding: Immediate recruitment of more doctors across Ondo State, Full payment of salary arrears and statutory allowances, A reversal of the new tax regime, Payment of outstanding salaries and allowances for newly employed officers.
Others are Payment of owed hazard allowances, and settlement of promotion arrears for eligible members.
While assuring the public of their commitment to healthcare delivery, the doctors 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.
