The Rauf Aregbesola-led government in Osun State has pleaded with doctors in the state not to embark on any strike action adding that their issues will be addressed promptly.
In a special release made available to PMParrot from the office of Mr Adelani Baderinwa, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the government acknowledged being notified of the 21-day ultimatum given to it by doctors in the state under the Nigeria Medical Association.
According to the statement “The government will address the issues raised by the doctors and we plead with them to understand the plight of the state government.
“It is on record that doctors in the State of Osun are perhaps the highest paid in the South-West states after Lagos. The government did everything to ensure the standard was maintained for as long as the finances of government were in good shape. This illustrates that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf 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 as 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”.
Baderinwa’s statement added “We sincerely urged the doctors to reason with the state government and understand the reality of the state finances. Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration is very responsive to the welfare of the general populace and the workers in the state.
Packaged by Rahman Salami
