Doctors working at health facilities belonging to Kwara State Government have commenced a seven-day warning strike over unpaid welfare and health insurance deductions
The strike involves doctors under the Kwara Doctors Forum made up of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) and the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), KWASUTH.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Ilorin, the Chairman of MDCAN, Dr Adeola Olasinde, said the decision was reached at a congress held on Oct. 14, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government.
Olasinde said the ultimatum, which ran from Oct. 1 to Oct. 14, aimed to address welfare concerns, including the sudden salary deductions for the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme (KwaraCare).
He also cited the issue of non-implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the official salary scale for medical doctors and dental surgeons in Nigerian government service.
He said the government must reverse the two per cent salary deduction for the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme (KHIS) and commence payment of approved 2025 and 2026 accoutrement allowance arrears.
“The government must also recruit house officers, medical officers, resident doctors and consultants across healthcare facilities.
“We also demand the renovation of the House Officers’ Quarters in teaching hospitals and the establishment of the Governing Board of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) in accordance with its enabling Act,” he added.
The chairman however, clarified that the forum’s position was not against health insurance or the government’s efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare.
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