The Lagos State Government has urged medical doctors to call off their three-day warning strike set to commence today, stating that discussions and negotiations with the Medical Guild are still in progress.
Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government is set to begin a three-day warning strike today in protest against what they termed “illegal and disrespectful” salary deductions by the government.
The Medical Guild, which represents medical and dental practitioners in the state’s public sector, announced that the strike would commence at 8 a.m. and run until the same time on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, the Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the decision to embark on the strike followed several unsuccessful efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
He explained that the dispute began in April when the state government made unilateral deductions from doctors’ salaries. Although these deductions were later reversed due to what he called “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” the issue resurfaced in July with new deductions, “this time without prior notice or explanation.”
Among their key demands, the doctors are calling for an immediate reversal of the July deductions and 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 response to the concerns raised by the Medical Guild leadership, the Ministry of Health stated that the government is already addressing “all grievances of the doctors with utmost sincerity and urgency.”
“Negotiations and engagements with the Medical Guild are ongoing”, a statement by the ministry’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said last night.
The statement reads, “This is the first time the ministry is experiencing such a development in recent years and the government is particularly concerned about the welfare, motivation, and productivity of all healthcare workers across the state.
“A conciliation committee, comprising representatives from both the Medical Guild and the Government was previously constituted to resolve all outstanding issues. Meetings have been held, and documents submitted by the Guild are being carefully reviewed in line with existing policies and fiscal regulations.
“As a responsible Government, we value the critical role our healthcare professionals play in delivering quality and timely health services to the over 20 million residents of Lagos State”.
”We urge the Medical Guild to continue on the path of dialogue while we work to reach a peaceful and just resolution in the interest of all parties, especially the residents who may bear the brunt of any service disruption.”
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health therefore appeals to the Medical Guild to reconsider its decision on the warning strike and allow the ongoing discussions to reach a fruitful conclusion.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains committed to promoting the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring industrial harmony within the health sector”.
“We thank the people of Lagos for their patience and understanding and assure the public that contingency plans are being put in place to minimize any impact on healthcare services during this period.”
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