Ondo Doctors Threaten Action Over Poor Welfare Conditions

Doctors in Ondo State have voiced serious concerns regarding their welfare and the deteriorating conditions in the healthcare sector, threatening industrial action if the situation does not improve. Dr.

Abel, the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State, highlighted that the number of doctors has decreased by 50% over the past decade, despite the state's population growing from 3.5 million to 5.8 million. This has resulted in a doctor-to-population ratio of 1 to 6,200, significantly below the standard of 1 to 600.

The NMA attributes this decline to years of neglect, poor remuneration, and inadequate infrastructure, which have led to an exodus of medical professionals to neighboring states and abroad. Dr.

Stephen Adewol, chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, described Ondo State as having the lowest pay for healthcare workers in the southwest. The doctors demand immediate implementation of welfare improvements and recruitment of new personnel, warning of potential industrial action if their concerns are not addressed within a seven-day ultimatum.