Patients Stranded As Lagos Doctors Begin 3-Day Warning Strike Over Salary Deductions

Patients and their families were on Monday stranded at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as medical doctors employed by the state government commenced a three-day warning strike over salary deductions.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the strike declared by the Medical Guild began at 8a.m. due to what it described as “illegal and disrespectful salary deductions” by the Lagos State Treasury Office.

Skeletal services were being rendered to in-patients at some General Hospitals, including the one at Ifako –ijaye observed by our correspondent on Monday.

Emergency services were also being rendered by medical personnel on duty, while the outpatient clinics were completely shut down.

The medical doctors in the employ of Lagos State Government had declared a three-day warning strike to protest what they described as “illegal and disrespectful” salary deductions by the state.

The strike, announced by the Medical Guild, the umbrella body of medical and dental practitioners in the state’s public service, is expected to end on Thursday.

At a news conference held at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, its Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, had explained that the action followed a series of failed attempts to address the matter through dialogue.

Olugbogi said the disagreement began in April when the state government unilaterally deducted part of doctors’ salaries.

Although the deductions were later reversed following what he described as “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” the situation relapsed in July with a fresh round of deductions, ‘’this time without prior notice or explanation.’’

The doctors listed key demands, including 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).

Meanwhile, Lagos State government has appealed to the doctors to reconsider their decision and shelve the strike.

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo said, ‘’The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the press conference held by the Medical Guild on Saturday, July 26, 2025, and the subsequent declaration of a three-day warning strike scheduled to commence on Monday, July 28, 2025, over alleged unilateral salary deductions and other related concerns.

‘’While we acknowledge the concerns raised by the leadership of the Medical Guild, the Lagos State Government wishes to assure the general public that all grievances of the doctors are currently being looked into with utmost sincerity and urgency. Negotiations and engagements with the Medical Guild are ongoing.

‘’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,” he said.

Ogunbanwo conveyed the appeal of the Lagos State Ministry of Health to the Medical Guild to reconsider its decision 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,” he stressed.

Ogunbanwo also thanked the people of Lagos for their patience and understanding and assured the public that contingency plans were being put in place to minimise any impact on healthcare services during this period.