Medical doctors in Kano set for indefinite strike over failed agreement

Medical doctors, under the auspices of National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners in Kano State, have set October 1 2024 for an indefinite strike, over the failure of the state government to fulfil its agreement.

The secretary of the association in Kano, Dr. Anas Idris Hassan, made this known while addressing newsmen on the outcome of their meeting on Saturday.

Anas stated that despite reaching an agreement with the Kano State Government in June, their demands are yet to be met.

He emphasized that the government has not addressed the issue of the post-COVID-19 hazard allowances which has been paid by the Federal Government since 2021 but is yet to be paid by the Kano government.

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Anas further disclosed that newly employed medical doctors, who were hired by the Kano State Government in September 2023, have not been paid their salaries.

The medical practitioners also expressed concern over the dilapidated state of Kano hospitals and the lack of necessary equipment.

They stressed the urgent need to address “these ugly trends”.

Anas highlighted the critical doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano, which he said is significantly lower than the World Health Organization’s standard.

He noted that there are an estimated 20 million people in Kano, served by only 600 doctors, resulting in a ratio of one doctor to 33,000 patients.

The medical practitioners stressed that they have no option but to embark on the strike on October 1.