Ogun replaces striking doctors with volunteer staff at its Sagamu Covid-19 isolation centre

OGUN State government has replaced its striking doctors working at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Covid-19 Isolation Centre with volunteer staff in a desperate bid to offer emergency service to members of the public.

Members of the Ogun State chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (Ard) at the hospital situated in Sagamu, went on strike on July 1. Their grievances included the non-implementation of the new minimum wage, paying them hazard allowance, inappropriate remuneration, low entry-level conditions and the absence of a life insurance policy.

According to the doctors, the alleged refusal of the state government to appropriately attend to previous warning letters had shown that it was not concerned about their plight. Remmy Hassan, a spokesman for the Ogun State governor, said that the striking doctors at the isolation centre had been replaced.

He added: “They were replaced by volunteers. It is a stop-gap measure as we cannot stop the treatment at the isolation centre.

“They have the right to go on strike. Remember it is a national strike but we are doing our best and we just hope that it does not take too long.”

Tope Osundara,  the Ard secretary at the hospital confirmed the employment of volunteer doctors, adding that the union is hopeful that the government would call for a meeting this week. Ogun State has over 1,000 cases of Covid-19 and is considered a high-risk state because of its proximity to Lagos.