Kwara PDP tells AbdulRazaq to end doctors’ strike

Abimbola Joseph

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently resolve striking doctors’ welfare concerns, warning that continued industrial action could endanger patients and further weaken healthcare delivery.

The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, made the call in a statement issued on Saturday, accusing the government of failing to address the doctors’ grievances despite a 14-day ultimatum before the commencement of the strike.

Doctors under the Kwara Doctors Forum began a seven-day warning strike on Thursday over salary deductions for the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme, known as KwaraCare, unpaid allowances, delayed implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and inadequate recruitment of medical personnel.

The forum comprises the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, and the Association of Resident Doctors at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital.

The industrial action followed the expiration of the ultimatum issued to the state government on October 1. The chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Adeola Olasinde, said the strike was approved at the association’s congress on October 14.

The doctors are demanding the reversal of a two per cent salary deduction for KwaraCare, implementation of CONMESS, payment of outstanding accoutrement allowances for 2025 and 2026, and the recruitment of house officers, medical officers, resident doctors and consultants across government-owned health facilities.

Adewara said the doctors’ demands were legitimate and deserved immediate attention, faulting the government for allegedly failing to use the notice period to prevent the disruption of medical services.

“We’ve studied the doctors’ grievances, and we believe they are genuine and deserve urgent attention and not cold silence that the government is giving them,” the statement said.

The PDP expressed concern over poor remuneration, inadequate medical infrastructure and increasing workloads, warning that the conditions could drive experienced doctors out of the state and discourage other medical professionals from taking up appointments there.

The party claimed that Kwara had about 362 doctors serving an estimated population of 4.2 million, compared with approximately 1,500 doctors in neighbouring Osun State, which it said had a smaller population.

It said the disparity underscored the need for the government to recruit more medical personnel, improve remuneration and provide better working conditions.

According to the PDP, Kwara was once a preferred destination for patients from neighbouring states seeking medical care. However, it warned that the departure of health workers and inadequate investment in healthcare facilities could undermine that reputation.

The party cautioned that a prolonged strike could further restrict access to essential medical services, particularly emergency treatment and specialist care.

It also questioned the reported movement of ₦200m in cash by the governor for political purposes, arguing that such resources would be better spent addressing urgent public needs.

The PDP said investment in medical equipment, healthcare infrastructure, recruitment and workers’ welfare would help strengthen the state’s health system.

The party sympathised with doctors and other health workers, acknowledging the demands placed on them under difficult working conditions.

It urged AbdulRazaq’s administration to engage the doctors, settle outstanding welfare issues and take practical steps to secure their return to work and minimise further disruption to healthcare services across the state.