By Kemi Olatunde

Plans are underway to address the issue of Doctors’ salary disparity between Ondo State and other states in Nigeria just as government said it has commenced the payment of their arrears.

Ondo State Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip stated this in a press statement which he released yesterday in Akure.

According to the statement, “The attention of the Office of the Head of Service had been drawn to an industrial action called by the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital, (UNIMEDTH), Ondo. 

“While the right of the Association to champion a cause for the welfare of its members is duly recognised, it must be stated that the fact of this particular case must not be misrepresented to the public.

“While it is true that Governor Aiyedatiwa inherited both the medical hazard allowance and salary arrears of interns made up of House Officers, Nurses, Pharmacists etc, Government has not only taken concrete steps in resolving the matter but has commenced the payment of the arrears.

“The striking Doctors have received two months hazard allowance as agreed while the interns are being paid the whole four to five months arrears owed them.

“In addition, a joint committee comprising Government and NMA officials is already meeting on the issue of salary disparity between Ondo State and other sister states and this will be actualized as soon as the committee submits its report.

“The public deserve to know the truth, this truth in particular!

Once again, I wish to reiterate the avowed commitment of Mr. Governor to the welfare of all categories of workers in the State and to enjoin workers to resist the temptation of making politics out of any issue that has to do with the Public Service of our dear State.”