Healthcare services at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) remained significantly disrupted on Monday as the industrial action by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) entered its eighth day.
The strike followed a directive from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) after prolonged efforts to resolve welfare-related issues with the hospital’s management failed to produce an agreement.
During a press briefing on Monday, the ARD said the strike would continue until two key demands are addressed: the immediate completion of the Resident Doctors’ Quarters and the restoration of call duty meals.
The association explained that resident doctors have been unable to access their official accommodation for more than 18 months because renovation works on the quarters remain unfinished.
According to the doctors, the delay has severely affected their welfare, safety and wellbeing, with many forced to sleep in their vehicles, hospital lounges and other unsuitable locations despite working demanding schedules.
The ARD appealed to the Federal Government to urgently release the funds required for the Chief Medical Director to complete the renovation project.
The association also criticised the withdrawal of call duty meals, describing the decision as detrimental to doctors who often work shifts exceeding 24 hours while responding to emergencies.
The resident doctors argued that call duty meals are not a luxury but an essential welfare provision that enables healthcare workers to remain on duty without leaving patients unattended.
They noted that similar provisions exist in several other federal tertiary health institutions across Nigeria and insisted LUTH should not be treated differently.
The ARD called on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, and other stakeholders to intervene and resolve the dispute.
The doctors warned that unless urgent steps are taken to improve their working conditions, healthcare services at the teaching hospital will continue to be affected.
“Our desire has always been to remain at the bedside caring for our patients,” the association said.
“However, quality healthcare cannot be sustained when the welfare and basic working conditions of healthcare workers are neglected.”
Despite the ongoing strike, the association said it remains open to constructive engagement and expressed hope that discussions with the hospital management and relevant authorities would lead to a swift resolution of the crisis.
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