Medical services in all government hospitals in Ondo State yesterday were paralyzed as doctors embarked on strike over the non-payment of their five-month salaries by the government.
The strike affected many patients as there were no doctors on ground to attend to their medical needs.
Medical personnel, including pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists and other allied health workers, marched on major streets in Ondo town to protest the development.
The doctors, who converged on the Mother and Child Hospital at 7am, closed the gate leading to the hospital.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Pay our salaries”; “Shall we die before you pay us?”; “We are saving lives, pay our salaries” and “Save us from hunger” among others.
Addressing the protesters, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, said he would meet with Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Kiladejo emphasized that government cannot afford to play with the health of the people.
But the health workers vowed to continue with the protest, until their salaries are fully paid.
