The Lagos government urged medical doctors to shelve their three-day warning strike, set to begin today, and stated that they are negotiating and engaging with the Medical Guild.

This call for restraint, reinforcing the government’s ongoing negotiation efforts mentioned earlier, was detailed in a statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

The government assured doctors that it is seriously and urgently addressing all grievances.

The guild, which includes doctors working for the Lagos government, first declared its intention to strike on July 26. The three-day warning strike was set to begin on Monday, as announced on Saturday.

At a press conference last Saturday, the Medical Guild officially announced that the three-day warning strike would start on Monday.

The Lagos government acknowledged the concerns raised by the leadership of the guild, emphasising that the government was particularly concerned about the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare workers in the state.

“A conciliation committee comprising representatives from both the Medical Guild and the Government was previously constituted to resolve all outstanding issues. Meetings have been held, and documents submitted by the guild are being carefully reviewed in line with existing policies and fiscal regulations.

“As a responsible government, we value the critical role our healthcare professionals play in delivering quality and timely health services to the over 20 million residents of Lagos State.

“We urge the medical guild to continue on the path of dialogue while we work to reach a peaceful and just resolution in the interest of all parties, especially the residents who may bear the brunt of any service disruption,” the government  said.

The government thanked Lagos residents for their patience and understanding, and assured the public that contingency plans are in place to minimize healthcare disruptions.

At a news conference at the guild’s secretariat in Lagos, the doctors explained that their decision to strike followed a series of unsuccessful attempts at dialogue.

The guild further stated that the disagreement, which provides the context for the government’s current engagement, began in April when the state government unilaterally deducted part of the doctors’ salaries.

Although the deductions were later reversed following what was described as “spirited intervention and strategic engagement”, a fresh round of deductions began in July, “this time without prior notice or explanation”.

The doctors’ key demands include the immediate reversal of the July deductions and the full payment of 12 months of revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears owed to honorary consultants at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. 

(NAN)