By OLUWAFUNKE ISHOLA

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern over the ongoing three-day warning strike embarked upon by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

NMA warned that failure to address the issues at the heart of the industrial action could trigger a broader healthcare crisis in Lagos and across the country.

The NMA said this in a statement signed by its Lagos Chapter Chairman, Dr Sunday Ewonowo, and Secretary, Dr O.J. Hassan, on Thursday.

The association said the strike by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LASUTH, followed the Lagos State Government’s failure to resolve longstanding welfare and professional concerns affecting doctors at the institution.

It described the development as regrettable and avoidable, noting that industrial action became necessary only after repeated efforts at engagement failed to produce meaningful outcomes.

According to the association, resident doctors at LASUTH are demanding immediate commencement and completion of a modernised Resident Doctors’ Quarters and Residency Training Centre.

It also listed the urgent implementation of a revised professional allowance for doctors in Lagos State and payment of specialist allowance to eligible Senior Registrar I doctors.

They are also demanding improved security for healthcare workers, patients and health facilities, among others.

The NMA urged the Lagos State Government, LASUTH management and other stakeholders to engage with the ARD leadership without delay to prevent an escalation of the dispute into an indefinite strike.

Beyond LASUTH, the NMA also highlighted mounting concerns over a 21-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) during its May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting in Kano.

The ultimatum, which took effect on June 6, 2026, centres on unresolved welfare issues affecting resident doctors nationwide.

This includes non-disbursement of the 2026 MRTF, outstanding salary, advancement and promotion arrears, delays in resolving professional allowance disputes.

Others include failure to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), among others.

The association noted that NARD had specifically directed the management of LUTH to immediately provide call meals for resident doctors on call duty.

It warned that failure to comply before the expiration of the ultimatum could trigger a total and indefinite strike by the hospital’s resident doctors.

The NMA said it was aware of a communiqué issued by the Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH, following its Emergency General Meeting on June 17, 2026.

It added that members reaffirmed their readiness to proceed with industrial action in line with NARD’s directive if the issues remain unresolved.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the development raises fears of disruptions to healthcare delivery in two of Lagos’ largest tertiary health institutions at a time when demand for medical services remains high.

The NMA stressed that the welfare of doctors is directly connected to the quality of healthcare services available to Nigerians, arguing that an adequately motivated workforce is critical to achieving improved health outcomes.

The association called on the Lagos State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the managements of LASUTH and LUTH, and other relevant stakeholders to urgently address all outstanding welfare concerns. (NAN)