Lagos State Appeals to Doctors to Postpone Warning Strike

Lagos State Appeals to Doctors to Postpone Warning Strike

Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government have initiated a three-day warning strike to protest what they call “unauthorized and disrespectful” reductions in their salaries by the State.
The strike, declared by the Medical Guild, which represents medical and dental professionals in the public sector of the State, is set to commence at 8 AM and conclude at the same time on Thursday.

During a press conference held at the Guild’s headquarters in Lagos, Chairman Japhet Olugbogi stated that this action was taken after multiple unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
He mentioned that the conflict began in April when the state government unilaterally cut a portion of doctors’ salaries. Although these deductions were later reversed due to what he referred to as “significant intervention and strategic engagement,” the issue resurfaced in July with another set of deductions, “this time without any prior notice or explanation.”

The doctors outlined key demands, including the immediate reversal of the July salary deductions and the complete payment of the 12-month revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

In response to the concerns raised by the leadership of the Medical Guild, the Ministry of Health stated that the government was already addressing “all grievances of the doctors with utmost sincerity and urgency.”
The statement noted: “This is the first instance the ministry has encountered such a situation in recent years, and the government is particularly concerned about the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare workers in the state.”

Source: TVC News