By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado Ekiti

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Ekiti State Government has appealed to resident doctors to suspend their indefinite strike over delay in payment of their salaries.
The medical practitioners under the agies of Association of Resident Doctors, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital chapter, had on Wednesday declared indefinite strike to press for the payment of their June salary.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, insisted that the welfare of health workers was a priority of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration.
He dispelled the insinuation that the current government doesn’t include health on the priority list, saying Fayemi has done creditably well in the sector.
He said: “It has come to the attention of e Government of Ekiti State that the Association of Resident Doctors, EKSUTH has commenced an indefinite strike, reportedly premised on the unusual delayed in thier June salary payment.
“This development is a source of concern, but we nonetheless appreciate the understanding of all government workers, especially our health workers, during this fiscally challenging time.
“Considering we are still knee-deep in fighting the COVID 19 pandemic, all medical and health practitioners are advised to remain calm and while efforts are being put in place to amicably resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
“The management of EKSUTH is hereby directed to ensure there is hitch-free service delivery while the government continues to work closely with the Association of Resident Doctors and other relevant stakeholders to resolve this issue.
“Strike action can be counterproductive, especially in the health sector. We therefore appeal to the striking workers to reconsider their position, and continue to engage government on how best to resolve this industrial dispute.
“The Government of Ekiti State wishes to state clearly that the welfare of the health and medical workers in the state is a major priority of the Dr. Fayemi led administration”.