Following the ongoing strike by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State branch, has warned that, if an urgent response is not provided, it could escalate into a wider healthcare disruption.
DAILY POST recalls that the resident doctors had embarked on a three-day warning strike over the failure of the government and relevant authorities to address long-standing welfare issues affecting medical personnel in the hospital.
Reacting on Thursday in a statement by the NMA Lagos chairman, Dr Ewonowo Sunday, the association said, “We view this development with deep concern. Regrettably, this crisis was avoidable if all concerned stakeholders had been more proactive and responsive in addressing the legitimate concerns raised by the resident doctors.”
While acknowledging that strike action remains a last resort, the NMA said it often becomes inevitable when sustained dialogue fails to produce meaningful results, adding that the grievances of resident doctors at LASUTH include delayed implementation of revised professional allowances, unpaid promotion arrears and inadequate welfare support for training doctors.
The issues and demands that culminated in the warning strike, according to the statement, include immediate commencement, construction, and timely completion of the newly modernised Resident Doctors’ Quarters and Residency Training Centre at LASUTH; urgent conclusion and implementation of the revised Professional Allowance for doctors in Lagos State; payment of specialist allowance to all eligible Senior Registrar I doctors at LASUTH; and immediate payment of all outstanding advancement and promotion arrears owed to members.
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