Healthcare services across Ogun State have been severely disrupted as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ogun State commenced a coordinated strike within the state.
The current indefinite strike was called on the failure of the state government to honour the contributing pension scheme.
The organized labour in the state revealed that successive governments have failed to remit the contributing pension deductions, which, according to them have accumulated to over N81 billion naira and other pending unresolved grievances around welfare package, poor working conditions, and unpaid benefits.
The union leaders insisted that the government of Ogun State must, as a matter of urgency, suspend the law from operation due to its failure to remit a dime.
Though the strike is not national, its effect in the State has been deeply felt, particularly at State Hospital Ijaye in Abeokuta where doors to essential medical units remain firmly shut.
A visit to the state hospital in Ijaiye, Abeokuta, on the second day of the, painted a picture of near-total paralysis with wards and offices locked, leaving no access for patients or staff.
Patients who sought care were turned away, with no doctors or nurses available to attend to them. Only locum staff, temporary personnel unaffiliated with the NLC workforce—were observed on duty, handling minor administrative tasks but unable to offer medical treatment.
The Chief Medical Director of State Hospital, Ijaye Abeokuta, Dr. Bababunmi Osinaike was reportedly unavailable at the time of the visit.
When visited, the General Out-Patient Department (GOP), usually bustling with scheduled clinics for orthopedic, trauma, surgical, medical, and palliative cases, was void of activity.
The Drug Store, Operating Room Department, High Dependency Unit (HDU), and Medical Records all had their gates locked, with visible signs and schedules untouched and unused. Also, the X-Ray Department, a critical diagnostic hub, showed no signs of functioning.
One of the patients who sought for medical attention but met no one to attend to her, Mrs. Adekunle Adenike said though she heard about the strike but she did not know that it would affect health centers.
“I heard on the news that strike started yesterday but I didn’t know that health facilities would be affected, though I am just here for a routine check up but I am very concerned about those whose health conditions are very bad but couldn’t have access to doctors and nurses, the state government should pleased look into the requests of the workers “, Adenike stated.
A community health advocate, Mr. Yomi Adebayo commented, “It’s unfortunate that in the face of these disruptions, patients with urgent needs have nowhere to turn. The ripple effect on lives and families cannot be overstated.”
As the strike continues, questions remain about how long this shutdown will last—and how long Ogun State residents will be left without basic medical care?
Contacted to react on the steps taken by the state government to mediate with the labour unions, the Special Adviser on Media to the Ogun state governor, Mr. Kayode Akinmade assured to get back, but as at the time of this report, the government is yet to react.
