The three-day warning strike embarked upon by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has brought renewed attention to worsening welfare conditions for medical personnel, with patients increasingly bearing the consequences.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LASUTH, suspended services over what it described as years of unfulfilled commitments by the Lagos State Government and the hospital’s management.
The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) warned that the industrial action could escalate into a wider crisis if the concerns raised by doctors are not addressed.
Chairman of the NMA Lagos chapter, Dr. Ewonowo Sunday, described the situation as “deeply unfortunate but avoidable”, noting that repeated engagements had failed to produce concrete action on issues affecting doctors’ welfare and professional training.
“We view this development with deep concern. It is unfortunate but avoidable if all stakeholders had acted promptly,” Dr. Sunday said.
Although the association did not initiate the strike, it stressed that the welfare concerns had become systemic. Among the grievances cited are delays in implementing revised professional allowances, unpaid promotion arrears, the incomplete Resident Doctors’ Quarters, and inadequate security at LASUTH.
Dr. Sunday urged the Lagos State Government and the management of LASUTH to regard doctors’ welfare as integral to the delivery of quality healthcare. He warned that continued neglect could accelerate the exodus of medical professionals from public hospitals and further disrupt services for patients.
“Healthcare delivery depends on a motivated workforce. Addressing these welfare issues is not a favour to doctors but an investment in patient safety and system stability,” he added.
