The Lagos State healthcare sector is on edge as medical doctors under the Medical Guild prepare to begin a three-day warning strike starting Monday, July 28, 2025. The strike, announced amid mounting frustration over alleged unauthorised salary deductions and delayed payments, threatens to disrupt vital health services to over 20 million residents.
Voices from the Frontline: Why Are Doctors Striking?
Doctors have described the deductions from their salaries as “unlawful and disrespectful,” with grievances tracing back to April when a portion of their pay was deducted without prior consultation. Though the government reversed some of these deductions following intervention, a fresh round in July reignited tensions.
Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, Chairman of the Medical Guild, spoke candidly about the doctors’ demands, emphasizing the urgent need for the immediate reversal of the July salary deductions and the full payment of arrears owed under the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to honorary consultants at LASUTH.
“Our patience has been tested,” Olugbogi noted, “and after repeated failed attempts at dialogue, we felt compelled to take this stand to protect our rights and welfare.”
Government’s Response: A Call for Calm and Continued Dialogue
In response, the Lagos State Government, through Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Health, has appealed to the Medical Guild to reconsider their decision and suspend the strike. The government assures the public that negotiations are ongoing with “utmost sincerity and urgency,” and that a Conciliation Committee made up of representatives from both sides is actively reviewing all concerns.
“As a responsible government, we deeply value our healthcare professionals who tirelessly serve the state’s population,” Ogunbanwo said. “We are committed to resolving these issues fairly and promptly to avoid any disruption to essential health services.”
What This Means for Lagos Residents
With over 20 million residents depending on public health facilities, the potential strike raises concerns about access to timely and quality medical care. The government has assured that contingency plans are in place to minimise the impact, but it’s clear that the situation calls for urgent and sustained engagement.
Looking Forward: A Plea for Unity in Health
This strike represents a critical moment for Lagos’ health sector, one that underscores the importance of open communication and mutual respect between the government and its frontline workers. Both sides face the challenge of balancing fiscal responsibilities with the welfare and motivation of doctors who form the backbone of the state’s healthcare delivery.
For the people of Lagos, this is a call to patience and understanding, trusting that peaceful resolutions can be reached without compromising the health and wellbeing of the community.
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