TheCable

The Ogun state government says it will soon commence implementation of life insurance policy for its health workers.

Dapo Abiodun, governor of the state, disclosed this during a meeting with health workers representatives in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Saturday.

This development is coming several days after the association of resident doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, embarked on a three-day warning strike over non-implementation of their demands by the state government.

The doctors had expressed grievance over non-implementation of the new minimum wage, hazard allowance, inappropriate remuneration, entry-level and absence of life insurance policy for its members.

Abiodun said the state government has now put in place life insurance policy for its health workers.

He said the life policy plan would have commenced immediately but the state government intends to go along with the federal government, which is also working on a similar plan.

The governor commended the doctors for their contributions to the health sector in the state.

“I want to inform you that we have put in place life policy for our health workers. We would have started immediately, but we will wait to go along with the federal government which is also planning similar programme,” he said.

“What transpired was because we have not been engaging each other as much as possible. I am impressed with the spirit of negotiation. Your requests and resolutions point to the fact that our health workers are concerned with what is happening in the health sector.

“This pandemic is a surprise to everybody. This happened just as we were beginning to roll out plans for total reform of our health facilities beginning with 236 Primary Health Care Centres. However, I want to assure you that this government is determined to ensure provision of adequate health care for our people.”

With 113 cases, Ogun is currently the eight state with the highest number of confirmed cases in the country.

As of Friday, Nigeria recorded 3,912 cases of COVID-19, out of which 679 patients have recovered, while 117 persons have died.