Approximately 24 hours after Ondo State medical doctors threatened to go on strike due to unpaid hazard allowances, the state government has taken action by releasing a circular to address the payment of these allowances.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state, Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, confirmed this development. He stated that the state government has issued a circular to ensure the payment of a 100 per cent hazard allowance to medical doctors on its payroll in Ondo State.

Adeyemi-Osowe further clarified that this payment would be retroactive to October 2, 2023. This announcement comes in response to the doctors’ expectations that the allowance arrears would be settled.
The NMA had warned that doctors in the state might strike if the circular for hazard allowance payment was not released by the end of the week.

The NMA Chairman in Ondo State expressed his appreciation to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for fulfilling his promise and wished him a speedy recovery. He mentioned that this move would greatly enhance the doctors’ motivation.

Adeyemi-Osowe noted that the state government has once again demonstrated its commitment to Ondo State’s healthcare personnel’s welfare. He urged the governor to expedite the recruitment of health workers, as previously promised, emphasizing that the federal government’s approved entry point for doctors would help attract young and active medical professionals to the state’s healthcare system.