The Kano State chapter of the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners has declared its intention to embark on an indefinite strike on Tuesday, October 1.
The secretary of the association in Kano, Dr. Anas Hassan, made this known while addressing newsmen about the outcome of their meeting.
Hassan said the decision to go on strike followed the failure of the Kano State government to meet its members’ demands.
He said, “Despite reaching an agreement with the Kano State Government months ago which is June, to meet their demands, the government has yet to respond.”
He emphasized that the government has not addressed the issue of their hazard allowance, specifically the Post-COVID-19 hazard allowance, which has been paid by the Federal Government since 2021 but has yet to be paid by the Kano State Government.
Dr. Hassan further disclosed that newly employed medical doctors who were hired by the Kano State Government in September 2023 have yet to be paid their salaries.
The medical practitioners also expressed concern over the dilapidated state of Kano hospitals and the lack of necessary equipment, stressing the urgent need to address these issues.
He also highlighted the critical doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organization’s standard.
He noted that there are an estimated 20 million people in Kano being served by only 600 doctors, resulting in a ratio of one doctor to 33,000 patients.
The medical practitioners who lamented the situation, said that they have no option but to embark on the strike on October 1.