Doctors in the West Africa region find themselves facing a delicate situation that threatens the stability of health services in Ogun State, Nigeria. The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has issued an ultimatum to the state government, warning of possible strike action if the demands of medical professionals are not addressed. The president of the association, Dr. Kunle Ashimi, expressed at a press conference in Abeokuta the need for government to act quickly to avert a major crisis in the health sector.
Among the main concerns of doctors are non-payment of the revised CONMESS salary scale and lack of recruitment of new doctors. Despite ongoing discussions with government officials, Dr Ashimi stressed that there have only been verbal promises with no formal commitment. He appealed to the citizens of Ogun State to put pressure on the government to find quick solutions and thereby avert a strike that would seriously disrupt health services across the state.
Along with these wage demands, the dramatic rise in electricity bills at Babcock University Hospital has also been highlighted. Rising from N80 million to N100 million per month to N300 million, this increase threatens to impact healthcare costs for patients, potentially making access to medical services even more difficult for many residents.
In addition to these internal challenges in the health sector, the region is facing a worrying cholera epidemic. To combat its spread, awareness programs are being implemented, encouraging preventative measures such as personal hygiene, water disinfection and monitoring of food providers in schools.
Overall, these developments raise critical questions about the capacity of authorities to provide adequate health services to the population. It is crucial that the Ogun government acts decisively to address the demands of doctors, improve medical infrastructure and put in place effective measures to stem the spread of cholera. The future of public health in the region depends on the ability of all actors to cooperate and find sustainable solutions to ensure equitable access to health care for all.