The Kano State chapter of the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has announced plans for an indefinite strike, set to commence on October 1, 2024, following the state government’s failure to meet its obligations to medical professionals.
Dr. Anas Idris Hassan, the secretary of the association in Kano, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Saturday after the association’s meeting.
According to him, the Kano State Government has not fulfilled agreements reached with medical practitioners in June, prompting the impending industrial action.
Among the key issues raised is the non-payment of post-COVID-19 hazard allowances, which the Federal Government has been paying since 2021, but the Kano State Government has yet to disburse.
This is despite the medical doctors having risked their lives during the height of the pandemic.
Dr. Anas also revealed that newly employed doctors, who were hired in September 2023 by the Kano State Government, have not been paid their salaries.
“This situation has placed undue financial hardship on these professionals, many of whom have families to support,” he noted.
In addition to unpaid allowances and salaries, the association expressed grave concerns about the deteriorating condition of hospitals across the state.
The medical professionals cited a lack of essential equipment and the overall poor state of healthcare infrastructure as significant obstacles to providing adequate medical services.
“The state of Kano hospitals is alarming, with outdated facilities and insufficient resources to meet the demands of the population,” Dr. Anas stressed. “These ugly trends must be addressed urgently.”
One of the most pressing issues highlighted was the doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano.
According to Dr. Anas, Kano State, with a population of approximately 20 million people, is being served by only 600 doctors, resulting in a staggering ratio of one doctor to every 33,000 patients.
This is far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio, further exacerbating the strain on healthcare delivery in the state.
Faced with these unresolved issues, Dr. Anas stated that the association has no choice but to go on strike starting October 1.
“We have exhausted all avenues of negotiation, and unfortunately, the state government has not shown the necessary commitment to addressing our concerns,” he said.
The doctors are urging the Kano State Government to act swiftly to avert the strike and prevent further disruptions to healthcare services in the state.
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