Doctors to Lagos govt: Don’t blame us if we embark on indefinite strike

The medical doctors in the employment of the Lagos State government have called on the state government to return the money deducted from their July salaries and also address their pending welfare issues; otherwise, they will embark on an indefinite industrial action.

The Chairman of the NMA, Lagos State, Dr Saheed Babajide Kehinde, made the appeal in a statement made available to Tribune Online.

He said: “Based on the briefing by the Medical Guild, which is the umbrella body of medical and dental practitioners under the state government’s employment, it is observed that the revised medical salary scale by the state government, through the State Treasury Office (STO), is not only against the interest and welfare of our members but also obnoxious and crisis-prone.

“According to him, to deduct from our salaries, which are already grossly inadequate, is insensitive and an act of wickedness on the part of the government, and it is totally unacceptable to us.”

Expressing strong dissatisfaction, he said it was sad that, despite all efforts to prevent disruption of healthcare delivery in the state, including the recent three-day warning strike, the concerned ministries, departments and agencies of government seem unbothered about the notice of indefinite strike action issued by the Medical Guild.

“But now, NMA Lagos State is calling on the Commissioner for Health and all the permanent secretaries in the health sector of the state to defend the integrity, dignity, security and welfare of medical and dental practitioners in the employment of the state government.”

He noted that, apart from the 21-day strike ultimatum deadline issued by the national body involving government medical workers nationwide, the state chapter’s own ultimatum, also for 21 days, would elapse on August 26.

“So, if the Medical Guild and NMA Lagos State are allowed to embark on an indefinite strike, the state government is to be held responsible for failing to ensure the return of the illegal deductions from our July 2025 salaries and for failing to stop such deductions subsequently.”

He stated: “Enough of ill-treatment by the government against medical professionals in its employment.”

He mentioned that their salaries were already insufficient, and to deduct from them under the current depressed economy is to suffocate them.

He said it was because of the poor salaries and working conditions of health workers in the country that the sector is experiencing a serious brain drain.

He added that the government should stop toying with the sector and instead give it utmost priority.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE