The Lagos State Government has appealed to members of the Medical Guild to suspend their planned three-day warning strike, which is set to begin today, assuring that efforts are underway to address their grievances through ongoing negotiations.
In a statement released by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the government acknowledged the concerns raised by the doctors and expressed its commitment to resolving the issues with sincerity and urgency.
The statement noted that both parties have been engaging through a conciliation committee made up of representatives from the Medical Guild and the state government.
According to the ministry, several meetings have been held and documents submitted by the guild are currently being reviewed in line with existing policies and financial regulations.
The Medical Guild, the association of doctors employed by the Lagos State Government, had declared the warning strike on Saturday, July 26, citing unresolved salary-related issues.
The Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, speaking at a press conference at the association’s secretariat, said the action followed failed attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue. He explained that the dispute began in April when the government made unilateral deductions from doctors’ salaries.
Although the deductions were later reversed after what he described as “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” the situation escalated again in July with another round of deductions, this time without prior notice or explanation.
Dr. Olugbogi stressed that the doctors are demanding the immediate reversal of the July deductions and the full 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 its response, the government reiterated its concern for the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare professionals in the state.
It emphasized the importance of continued dialogue, urging the doctors to consider the impact of the strike on the over 20 million residents of Lagos who rely on public health services.
The government assured the public that contingency plans have been activated to minimize disruptions in healthcare delivery during the strike.
The state also commended Lagos residents for their patience and understanding, expressing hope that a peaceful and just resolution would be reached soon in the interest of all parties involved.
