Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, are threatening fresh unrest if the state government fails to pay outstanding allowances and salary arrears within seven days.
The Association of Resident Doctors, LASUTH chapter, on Thursday demanded the immediate implementation of the specialist allowance for Grade Level 14 doctors, Senior Registrar 1, and the settlement of salary shortfalls owed to members.
LASUTH-ARD President, Dr Akerele Alaba, said the ultimatum followed discrepancies noticed after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the Professional Allowance Table at a July 17 meeting.
He said, “We demand the immediate implementation and payment of the Specialist Allowance to Grade Level 14 resident doctors (Senior Registrar 1) at LASUTH. Payment of the arrears of this specialist allowance to all Grade Level 14 resident doctors at LASUTH (SR1).”
He added that payments made in August did not reflect the allowance.
“Immediate payment of the shortfall in salary/Advancement Arrears to all affected members in LASUTH-ARD. Failure to resolve these demands within the stipulated seven days will leave us with no option but to take further actions, which may lead to industrial disharmony.”
According to Alaba, state officials had earlier suggested that the SR1 allowance was already included in the PAT sent for approval. Verification later showed it was not.
“This is even though these members have earned the promotion and are owed by right. We need to state categorically that this is a shortfall in salary for some of our members and needs to be paid.”
The doctors also faulted the exclusion of SR1s and the delay in promotion arrears.
He said, “LASUTH-ARD vehemently condemns these developments. To single out SR1s for exclusion and to deny deserving members their promotion arrears is unjust, demoralising, and counterproductive to healthcare delivery in Lagos State.”
The association appealed directly to the governor to step in.
He said, “We use this opportunity to urgently appeal to Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to personally intervene and ensure these issues are resolved in the interest of fairness, equity, and quality healthcare delivery in Lagos State.”
LASUTH-ARD had earlier staged a three-day warning strike in June over welfare issues, including PAT implementation and housing.
