June 7, 2021

At least 105 Medical Doctors have resigned in Ondo State in the past year.

This was disclosed by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state on Monday.

The Association in a press statement, signed by the NMA State Chairman, Dr. Stella Adegbehingbe, and State Secretary, Dr. Olorunfemi Owa lamented the ugly trend blaming it on irregular and percentage payment of salaries by the state government.

According to the NMA in the state, the situation is so unfortunate that medical doctors in this cadre have left the employment of the Hospital Management Board without replacement over the last few months.

“We have it on good records that about 105 medical doctors have resigned their employment from the Teaching Hospital in the last year alone.

“Ondo State has not been able to engage requisite numbers of House Officers since 2019. This has made our work almost impossible because this group of Doctors have a peculiar role in Health service delivery,” the statement read in part.

They added that “It is troubling to note that only three House Officers are left in the service of the Ondo State Government across the three senatorial zones in the state.

“There is no gainsaying that the ongoing laudable efforts at having a Contributory Health Insurance Scheme in the state can only be successful it the urgent issue of manpower need is adequately addressed.”

Medical doctors in the service of the Ondo State government had earlier complained over the salary cut and unpaid wages by the state government.

The doctors in a statement issued at the weekend said they received their February salary in June.

They insisted on receiving their full salary despite the recent statement by the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, which suggested part-payment of salaries for all categories of workers in the state.