Ondo State Government Doctors Forum has urged the state government, as a matter of urgency, respond to their demands to prevent further decay on the medical sector.
The Spokesperson for the forum, Dr Olubosede Omolayo, said it was unfortunate that government allowed the strike to drag this long.
Doctors in government hospitals had embarked on an indefinite strike, 14 days ago over payment of 50 percent Nov. 2020 salary and non payment of several allowances, and are yet to return to work.
Omolayo said the association had already met with commissioner for health,head of service and even the governor without any concrete achievement.
She lamented that judiciary workers were paid 100 per cent of their salary, while medical doctors were paid 50 per cent during a time they should be encouraged in the fight against covid-19 pandemic.
"Some Doctors are being owed as much as five months salary arrears. it is unfortunate and highly insensitive that this strike has been allowed to last this long by the State Government without consideration for the health of the people.
"Especially those whose conditions requires regular medical attention and those pregnant women and chiidren,majority of whom cannot afford private medical treatment because the people have been impoverished.
"We aiso know that people the state are dying at home without record.
"For the benefit of the people of the State, the Government shouid address our germane concerns.
"How can a hungry Doctor give his best to the patient or how can a frustrated Doctor who cannot pay his bills concentrate at work? How does he fuel his/her car and finance transportation to work since he cannot work from home?
"We hereby implore the good people of Ondo State and beyond to join their voices with ours (Health workers) to demand for better treatment of the Doctors in Ondo State," she said.
She said the state had been having increasing cases of covid-19 infections since the commencement of the strike,which she said:"should call for serious concern of all well-meaning citizens of Ondo State."
