Healthcare services were on Monday disrupted across several public hospitals in Lagos as doctors under the employment of the state government commenced a three-day warning strike to protest “illegal and arbitrary” salary deductions.
The strike, which began at 8 a.m., was declared by the Medical Guild — the umbrella body of medical and dental practitioners in Lagos public service — leaving patients stranded at facilities like the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and other general hospitals including the one at Ifako-Ijaiye.
While skeletal services were rendered to in-patients and emergency cases attended to, outpatient clinics remained shut across the state, worsening the already stretched healthcare delivery system.
Addressing journalists at the Medical Guild House in Lagos, the Guild Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, described the deductions as “disrespectful and unprovoked,” saying they were carried out without prior notice or justification by the Lagos State Treasury Office.
Olugbogi explained that the deductions initially began in April but were reversed after intense negotiations.
However, the government reportedly resumed fresh deductions in July, sparking fresh outrage among the affected medical personnel.
“This latest round of deductions came without warning, at a time when doctors are already grappling with rising inflation, poor welfare, and overburdened workloads. Our members cannot continue to work under such conditions,” he said.
The doctors are demanding the immediate refund of the July deductions and the full payment of 12-month arrears of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) owed to honorary consultants at LASUTH.
In reaction, the Lagos State Government urged the striking doctors to return to the negotiation table while assuring them that their grievances are being addressed with urgency.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the government admitted being aware of the doctors’ concerns and expressed commitment to resolving them amicably.
“This is the first time in recent years that such an incident is occurring. The government is deeply concerned about the welfare of healthcare workers and is committed to sustaining industrial harmony,” Ogunbanwo said.
He disclosed that a Conciliation Committee comprising representatives of both the Medical Guild and the government had been set up to resolve the dispute and that talks were ongoing.
“We appeal to the Medical Guild to reconsider its decision and allow these discussions to yield results, in the interest of the over 20 million Lagosians who depend on public health institutions,” the statement read.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, according to the ministry, remains committed to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that medical professionals are adequately supported.
The current strike by doctors comes amid a growing wave of unrest in the health sector, with nurses and midwives under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives also scheduled to embark on a seven-day warning strike from Tuesday.
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