The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State branch, has expressed concern over the ongoing three-day warning strike embarked upon by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
The industrial action, initiated by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LASUTH, follows what the doctors described as the failure of the Lagos State Government and relevant authorities to address longstanding welfare concerns affecting medical personnel at the hospital.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of NMA Lagos, Dr. Ewonowo Sunday, the association described the strike as “deeply unfortunate but avoidable,” attributing the breakdown in industrial harmony to prolonged delays in negotiations between the parties involved.
According to the NMA, unresolved welfare issues have continued to generate dissatisfaction among resident doctors, ultimately leading to the warning strike.
Dr. Sunday noted that while the association understands the concerns raised by the resident doctors, the situation could have been prevented through timely engagement and effective dialogue.
The NMA warned that failure to urgently address the issues at the heart of the dispute could result in a broader disruption of healthcare services in the state.
“The development is deeply unfortunate but avoidable,” the association stated, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention by the relevant authorities.
The body called on the Lagos State Government and hospital management to intensify efforts toward resolving the impasse and restoring normalcy at the institution.
It further stressed that maintaining industrial harmony within the health sector is critical to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery and safeguarding the welfare of patients who depend on public health facilities.
The warning strike by LASUTH resident doctors has raised concerns among stakeholders over the potential impact on healthcare services if negotiations fail to produce a swift resolution.
