Date: 2021-11-01

The Kwara State government has begged striking doctors in the state to rethink their decision by suspending the industrial action, saying it is committed to their agreements.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar O. Ayinla, in a statement on Monday, urged the doctors to consider the financial standing of the state which he said is at the bottom of the federal revenue allocation table.

He, however, said the state will implement the 70 per cent proposal that its finances can cater for at this time while calling for the suspension of the strike.

The statement was titled, 'Kwara Govt urges doctors to suspend planned strike amid 70% offer.'

It read, "We are dismayed by the decision of the doctors to hold a warning strike despite the unprecedented commitments of the government to their welfare. While it is the right of labour unions to press for the right and welfare of their members, it is important to state that this administration has done so well for the health sector and it is prepared to do a lot more within available resources. It is important to observe also that the government has met all their demands while salary adjustment was put at 70 per cent. This was done in good faith and in recognition of the primacy of the health of our people. Notwithstanding the strike, Government remains committed to the agreements already reached in the unprecedented marathon meeting personally chaired by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for much of Sunday, October 31, 2021. "However, we appeal to the doctors to look at the bigger picture and the financial standing of Kwara State, which is at the bottom of federal revenue allocation table. It is also important to reflect on where we are coming from and the progress so far made in not just the health sector but in other areas. Every segment of the state workforce is important, and government is equally working to improve the welfare of the entire public labour community in line with the ethos of the administration.

"We urge our medical doctors to consider immediate suspension of the action while government implements the 70 per cent proposal that its finances can struggle with at this time. Suspension of the action will reaffirm the time-honoured belief of health workers in the sanctity of human life and stability of the public health system."