Hundreds of patients seeking medical attention in Lagos State-owned hospitals were left stranded on Tuesday following a three-day warning strike declared by the Medical Guild, the umbrella body of doctors employed by the Lagos State government.
The industrial action, which began in the early hours of Tuesday and is expected to last until Thursday, July 31, was triggered by what the Guild described as “illegal and disrespectful” salary deductions and long-standing unpaid arrears to its members.
In a statement released via its official X handle, the Guild said the decision to embark on the warning strike was ratified during an emergency congress held over the weekend, after several failed attempts to resolve the issues amicably with the government.
Top among the demands of the doctors is the immediate reversal of the July salary cuts and the full payment of 12 months’ arrears owed to honorary consultants under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
“We are prepared to escalate our measures if the government does not respond swiftly. The welfare of our members and the integrity of the health system are at stake,” a Guild official stated.
The Guild also issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Lagos State government, warning that failure to meet its demands could lead to a full-scale indefinite strike.
A circular sent to all members called for total compliance with the strike directive. It also noted that a strike monitoring and enforcement team had been deployed across health facilities to ensure adherence, with possible sanctions for members who fail to comply.
When Vanguard visited some government hospitals in the state, including the General Hospitals in Isolo and Alimosho, as well as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), it was observed that while emergency departments were partially operational, outpatient clinics were completely shut.
At the ENT department of Isolo General Hospital, a nurse informed patients that most doctors had withdrawn their services due to the strike. Only one consultant doctor had agreed to come in, but her arrival time was uncertain.
“We only begged one of our consultants to come, and she’s on her way. Even on a normal day, she doesn’t come early. If she eventually shows up, she won’t be able to attend to everyone,” the nurse told the visibly frustrated patients.
She further advised those without prior appointments to consider rescheduling, noting that the situation was likely to worsen by Wednesday as nurses across the country were expected to join the strike.
“It’s a nationwide strike. Tomorrow, nurses are joining, which means the clinical section will be shut down. It will affect other hospitals too—even LUTH,” she added.
One patient, visiting the ENT clinic for the first time, expressed disappointment at being turned away. “I’ve never been here before. I just came to see a doctor,” she lamented.
In response, the Lagos State government has appealed for calm, assuring the public that discussions with the Medical Guild are ongoing. It stated that all grievances are being addressed with urgency and sincerity.
The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony within the health sector and urged the Medical Guild to reconsider its stance in the interest of the general public.
As the strike enters its second day, fears are mounting over its possible escalation and the potential disruption of critical healthcare services across the state.
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