The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to urgently address the ongoing impasse between the government and the striking doctors.
Addressing reporters at the NMA House in Ibadan on Monday, the Chairman of Oyo State chapter of NMA, Dr. Babatunde Olatunji, stressed the need for urgent resolution of the crisis before it degenerates to a national problem.
Condemning the avoidable loss of life occasioned by the strike, Dr. Olatunji urged Governor Aregbesola to reconsider his stance to avoid more loss of lives and degeneration of public medical facilities in the state.
He added that if the bailout from the Federal Government had been faithfully utilised to settle outstanding wage bills as ordered, the crisis would have been averted.
The body also condemned the recent advertisement issued by the state for applications from interested medical doctors to fill the void left by the striking workers.
It described the request as callous and autocratic.
The doctors had embarked on an industrial action after a disagreement with the State government over unpaid salaries and other welfare packages continues.