Osun Doctors Ultimatum: Govt Pleads For Understanding, Promises To Address Concerns

By Ismaeel Uthman

The government of the State of Osun has assured that it would address the issues surrounding the payment of salaries of Medical doctors in the state, just as it pleaded for their understanding of the plight of the government.

This is contained in a statement made by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa in reaction to the threat by doctors in the state under the Nigeria Medical Association to downsize after 21-day ultimatum.

Noting that it is on record that doctors in Osun are perhaps the highest paid in the South-West states after Lagos, the government said it has done everything to ensure the standard was maintained for as long as the finances of government were in good shape.

The statement said, this was a sign that the administration of Aregbesola is very sensitive to health matters and would always treat the health workers very well, if not specially.

“Issues bothering on full payment of their salary should not degenerate to the level of downsizing because it has been demonstrated that other workers of the state who were being paid modulated salary would sure get their arrears when the state finances improve.

“Recently, the state government paid July and August 2015 salary arrears of the workers; so there is nothing to assume or suggest that the government would not pay arrears for the doctors.

“The government knows that other issues raised by the doctors during their agitations are secondary; the salary is their primary reason for their action. Primary health centres and other hospitals in the state are well-equipped.

“We sincerely urged the doctors to reason with the state government and understand the reality of the state finances. Governor Aregbesola’s administration is very responsive to the welfare of the general populace and the workers in the state”, the statement read.