Medical doctors in Kano State, under the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners, have declared an indefinite strike starting October 1, 2024.
This decision follows the Kano State Government's failure to fulfill an agreement reached with the doctors in June.
Dr. Anas Idris Hassan, the association's secretary, addressed the media on Saturday, highlighting several unresolved issues.
"Despite reaching an agreement with the Kano State Government in June, our demands are yet to be met," he stated.
Among the key grievances are the non-payment of post-COVID-19 hazard allowances, which the Federal Government has been paying since 2021 but the Kano government has not.
Additionally, newly employed medical doctors, hired in September 2023, have not received their salaries. The doctors also raised concerns about the deteriorating state of hospitals in Kano and the lack of essential medical equipment.
"The dilapidated state of our hospitals and the absence of necessary equipment are alarming," Dr. Anas emphasized.
One of the most pressing issues is the critical doctor-to-patient ratio in Kano. With an estimated population of 20 million people, the state is served by only 600 doctors, resulting in a ratio of one doctor to 33,000 patients.
This is significantly below the World Health Organization’s standard. "We have no option but to embark on this strike to address these ugly trends," Dr. Anas noted.
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