Relief For Kwara Patients As Doctors Call Off Strike, Government Halts 2% Health Insurance Deduction

The Kwara State Doctors’ Forum has suspended its seven-day warning strike following the state government’s approval of a corrected 2025 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and an agreement to suspend a two per cent deduction for the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme pending consultations with relevant stakeholders.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the forum announced the decision in a communiqué issued in Ilorin on Tuesday, following negotiations and the intervention of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration.

The forum comprises the Kwara State chapter of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), and the Association of Resident Doctors employed by the state government.

The doctors said the decision to suspend the industrial action followed commitments by the government to address some of the concerns that prompted the strike, particularly issues relating to remuneration and the health insurance deduction.

According to the communiqué, the approval of the corrected 2025 CONMESS represents an important step towards resolving complaints over doctors’ salaries and improving their welfare.

The government also agreed to halt the two per cent deduction for the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme pending further consultations with relevant stakeholders. The proposed consultations are expected to provide an opportunity to review the scheme’s implementation, funding arrangements and long-term sustainability.

The forum added that the government had demonstrated a willingness to engage with the association on other outstanding concerns raised during negotiations.

It acknowledged Governor AbdulRazaq’s intervention, as well as the contributions of the Head of Service, government officials and other stakeholders involved in the discussions.

The doctors described the progress made so far as an important step towards rebuilding trust, improving industrial relations and strengthening working conditions within the state’s healthcare sector.

The forum also apologised to residents for the disruption to medical services during the warning strike, acknowledging the difficulties patients and their families may have experienced, particularly those requiring urgent and essential care.

It stressed that industrial action was not its preferred option but maintained that doctors had a responsibility to raise concerns affecting their welfare, the delivery of quality healthcare and the sustainability of the health system through lawful means.

The association urged the state government to sustain the progress achieved during negotiations by implementing the agreed measures promptly and continuing discussions on unresolved issues.

It further called for transparency, accountability and broad stakeholder participation in decisions concerning health insurance and healthcare financing, emphasising the need to expand access to affordable and quality medical services across Kwara State.

Following the suspension, all members of the forum were directed to return to work immediately in the interest of patients and the general public.

The forum expressed hope that the agreements reached would lead to lasting solutions, improved relations between doctors and the government, and a stronger healthcare system in the state.