The Lagos State Government has appealed to medical doctors under the Medical Guild to shelve their planned three-day warning strike, which was scheduled to begin today, citing ongoing efforts to resolve the issues raised. The government is urging for continued dialogue, warning that any disruption to healthcare services could negatively impact millions of residents in Africa’s most populous city.
In an official statement released by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the government stressed its commitment to swiftly addressing the grievances of its medical workforce. Ogunbanwo noted that a high-level committee comprising state officials and representatives of the Medical Guild is already working to resolve the outstanding issues and has been actively reviewing all submissions made by the union.
The Medical Guild, which represents doctors in the state’s employ, had declared the strike at a press conference, stating that the action was a response to long-standing unresolved matters, including the controversial deduction of salaries without prior notice. According to Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, chairman of the Guild, the deductions first occurred in April and, despite an initial reversal, resumed again in July without explanation, further deepening the rift between doctors and the government.
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The Guild is demanding the immediate reversal of the July deductions, full payment of salary adjustments owed to doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and a clear commitment to prevent future wage-related infractions.
Acknowledging the doctors’ concerns, the state government reiterated that it values the critical role health professionals play in maintaining the well-being of Lagosians. It also encouraged the Guild to remain open to dialogue, promising that it is working towards a fair and lasting resolution.
“Our healthcare workers are the backbone of our public health system. We appeal to the Medical Guild to consider the larger public interest and remain at the negotiation table as we sort through these matters,” the statement read.
While the government thanked Lagos residents for their patience and resilience, it also reassured the public that contingency plans are in place to minimize disruptions in medical services during this period of industrial tension.
As tension builds, the health sector in Lagos, home to over 20 million people, faces another test of its resilience. Stakeholders are now watching closely, hoping both sides reach a compromise that protects the health of the people and upholds the dignity of healthcare workers.
