Posted on: Wed 30-07-2025

Medical services across Lagos State were brought to a near standstill on Monday and Tuesday as doctors under the Medical Guild embarked on a three-day warning strike, protesting alleged unilateral salary deductions and long-standing unresolved grievances.

The strike, which commenced on July 28, has led to severe disruptions in state-owned hospitals, leaving hundreds of patients stranded and desperate for care. A tour of major government hospitals revealed near-empty wards, locked consulting rooms, and deserted corridors, marking a stark departure from the usual hustle and bustle of public healthcare facilities.

Silence in LASUTH

At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, the impact of the strike was particularly visible. On Tuesday morning, the usually busy medical complex was eerily quiet. The obstetrics and gynaecology wing at the Ayinke House, known for its high volume of daily consultations, was shut. A non-medical staff member told The Guardian that consultations had been suspended since Monday, and patients were being advised to return on Thursday, after the strike.

Departments such as orthopaedics, ENT, and general outpatient services were also inactive. A financial officer at the hospital explained that while emergency cases were being managed, routine consultations had stopped. “Only emergency services are functioning,” he said. “Doctors have withdrawn services due to frustrations over salary issues.”

Mixed Impact Across Other Hospitals

At Gbagada General Hospital, the situation was similar, though not entirely paralyzed. While most departments were inactive, emergency care continued. A patient’s relative, Mrs. Abiose, confirmed that medical staff, including doctors and nurses, were discreetly attending to admitted patients and emergency cases. “I give kudos to them because the strike didn’t stop them from caring for those already admitted,” she said.

However, at Isolo General Hospital, the strike's effects were more severe. Patients who arrived for scheduled consultations and antenatal care were turned away. A visibly distressed pregnant woman said she was unable to undergo a scheduled antenatal scan. “They told me to check the baby’s position today, but the doctor and the scan specialist are not around,” she said. Another patient seeking eye treatment was also asked to return later in the week.

The situation was no better at Randle General Hospital in Surulere, where both doctors and nurses reportedly joined the strike. A hospital staff source confirmed the development, noting that no services were being rendered and patients were left to seek care elsewhere.

Spillover to Federal Facilities

With state hospitals shut, the patient load at federal institutions like the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Ebute-Metta surged dramatically. A doctor at FMC confirmed a sharp rise in patient turnout since Monday. “We’re seeing more patients than usual. Many are coming here because their regular hospitals are closed,” the doctor said, highlighting how the strike is stretching the resources of alternative facilities.

Government Reacts, Calls for Dialogue

In response to the growing crisis, the Lagos State Government acknowledged the legitimacy of the doctors’ concerns. In a statement released on July 27, the Ministry of Health confirmed awareness of the Medical Guild’s press conference and the strike declaration.

The ministry assured that the state was committed to resolving the issues with urgency. A Conciliation Committee comprising representatives of both the Medical Guild and government officials had already been constituted to evaluate the doctors’ submissions and mediate a resolution.

“We urge the Medical Guild to continue on the path of dialogue,” the ministry’s statement read. “The government remains open to constructive engagement in the interest of all stakeholders—especially the public who may suffer as a result of service disruptions.”

The ministry further stated that contingency measures were being put in place to cushion the impact of the strike, though details of such measures were not immediately available.

Mounting Frustration in the Health Sector

The doctors’ strike comes amid a wider storm in Nigeria’s healthcare system. The industrial action overlaps with a seven-day warning strike by over 25,000 nurses under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), protesting poor remuneration, lack of career progression, and unsafe working conditions.

Medical experts have expressed concern over the escalating crisis. Dr. Rukayat Hassan described the situation as a failure of governance. “It’s a slap on the face of the government. Both doctors and nurses are on strike, and patients are suffering. It’s time the government placed real value on health,” she said.

As Lagosians continue to bear the brunt of disrupted healthcare services, the coming days will test the government’s resolve to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy to a sector already strained by years of underinvestment and policy neglect.

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