The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently address the demands of striking doctors in the state to prevent further disruption of healthcare services.

The appeal comes amid a seven-day warning strike embarked upon by doctors working in state-owned health facilities over salary deductions, outstanding allowances and other welfare-related concerns.

The doctors are also demanding the implementation of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), recruitment of additional medical personnel and improvements in working conditions across public hospitals.

The industrial action has affected healthcare delivery in state-owned facilities, including the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), raising concerns about the impact on patients who depend on public medical services.

The doctors explained that the decision to embark on the strike followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the disagreements with the state government through dialogue.

Among their key demands is the reversal of a two per cent deduction from their salaries for the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme, which they said was introduced without adequate consultation and clarification regarding the management of the funds.

They are also seeking payment of outstanding accoutrement allowances approved for 2025 and 2026, alongside the recruitment of house officers, medical officers, resident doctors and consultants to address manpower shortages in state hospitals.

Other demands include the renovation of house officers’ quarters in teaching hospitals and the establishment of the governing board of KWASUTH in line with the institution’s enabling law.

The doctors maintained that their position was not against health insurance but stressed the need for transparency, accountability and proper consultation in the administration of the scheme.

They urged Governor AbdulRazaq and other relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that their concerns were resolved.

Meanwhile, the medical director of KWASUTH, Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Qadir, has appealed to the striking doctors to return to work, warning that prolonged disruption could endanger patients requiring urgent medical attention.

He disclosed that the hospital was operating at full capacity, with critically ill patients receiving treatment in its wards and intensive care unit, including women recovering from surgery.

Abdul-Qadir described the situation as concerning and urged the relevant medical associations and the state government to find a lasting solution to the dispute in the interest of patients.

The ongoing disagreement has intensified calls for dialogue between the state government and the medical professionals to resolve the issues and restore uninterrupted healthcare services across Kwara State.