The Kano State chapter of the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners has sounded the alarm, declaring an indefinite strike starting October 1. This drastic measure comes after the state government’s repeated failure to address the association’s pressing concerns.
Dr. Anas Hassan, secretary of the association, expressed the frustration and despair of his colleagues, stating, “We’ve been left with no choice but to take this stand due to the government’s inaction.” He emphasized that despite reaching an agreement in June, the government has yet to fulfill its promises.
One of the primary grievances is the non-payment of hazard allowances, specifically the Post-COVID-19 hazard allowance, which the Federal Government has been paying since 2021. Dr. Hassan lamented, “Our members have been exposed to immense risks, and it’s unacceptable that the state government has neglected our well-being.”
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Furthermore, newly employed medical doctors hired in September 2023 are still awaiting their salaries, adding to the financial strain on healthcare professionals. The deplorable state of Kano hospitals and lack of essential equipment have also reached boiling point.
The doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano is alarmingly low, with only 600 doctors serving an estimated 20 million people. This translates to one doctor for every 33,000 patients, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended standard.
Dr. Hassan appealed to the state government to take immediate action, saying, “We urge the authorities to recognize the gravity of this situation and address our concerns to prevent a collapse of the healthcare system.”
As the strike looms, the people of Kano are bracing themselves for the potential consequences. Will the state government heed the association’s calls, or will the strike exacerbate the already fragile healthcare landscape?
