Medical doctors under the Lagos State Government have begun a three-day warning strike in protest against salary deductions they say were imposed without consultation or justification.
The industrial action, which kicked off at 8am on Monday, 28 July, is expected to last until Thursday morning, 31 July.
According to the Medical Guild, the body representing the affected practitioners, the strike is a direct response to what it describes as the government’s “breach of trust” and failure to honour previous agreements.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, chairman of the Guild, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, said the controversy began in April when doctors noticed unexplained cuts in their pay.
After pushback and intervention from the Guild, the deductions were reversed, and both parties agreed to maintain the status quo pending further discussions.
A six-man committee, made up of representatives from the Guild and the state government, was set up to resolve the matter.
Dr Olugbogi said the Guild provided all relevant documentation to explain how salaries were calculated under the CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) system.
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But hopes of a resolution were dashed when the government reportedly resumed the deductions in July.
“We presented all relevant documents clarifying the calculation of the CONMESS salary scale, and it was agreed that the status quo would be maintained while the government deliberated internally and returned with a final position,” said Dr Olugbogi.
The Guild is now demanding two things: an immediate refund of the July deductions and payment of 12 months’ revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at LASUTH (Lagos State University Teaching Hospital).
A 21-day ultimatum has also been issued. If the government fails to act within that time frame, the Guild has vowed to embark on an indefinite strike.
Dr Olugbogi also criticised the state for failing to adequately reward its health workers. “Let it be known that the most senior doctor in Lagos State employment does not earn up to $1,100. And yet, the government, in its wisdom, feels that reducing this meagre income is the best way to motivate the health workforce.”
He appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene personally and prevent further breakdown in the healthcare system.
At the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Government had not released an official statement on the matter.
