Lagos, Nigeria – July 29
Healthcare services across Lagos State have been thrown into chaos as doctors under the Medical Guild embark on a three-day warning strike. The industrial action, which began on July 28, has left patients stranded and underscored the deepening crisis in Nigeria’s health sector.
The strike stems from unresolved salary disputes, including what the Guild describes as “illegal and disrespectful” deductions from July salaries and the non-payment of 12 months’ arrears owed to honorary consultants under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
A Crisis Unfolds
At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), wards stood empty with red ribbons marking restricted access, while frustrated patients were turned away.
“I was asked to take my son home. There are no doctors available,” said Sunday Egbe, whose child’s scheduled surgery was abruptly canceled.
A similar scene played out at Randle General Hospital, Surulere, where medical services were suspended despite normal activity outside. The Medical Guild, representing state-employed doctors, has directed members to withdraw from all clinical duties, warning of sanctions for defaulters.
Root Causes and Broader Context
The strike highlights Nigeria’s longstanding healthcare workforce crisis, marked by poor remuneration and governance failures. The Guild accuses the Lagos State government of reneging on financial commitments, with senior doctors reportedly earning as little as $1,100 monthly, an unsustainable figure amid rising inflation.
This echoes historical patterns: a Human Resources for Health study documented 13 doctors’ strikes between 2013 and 2015, largely due to unpaid salaries and poor working conditions. Nigeria also faces a critical shortage of medical personnel, with only 4 doctors per 10,000 people—far below the WHO-recommended 23 per 10,000. The ongoing exodus of doctors seeking better pay abroad has further strained public hospitals.
Government Response and Calls for Dialogue
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has acknowledged the strike and appealed for calm, pledging swift resolution.
“We recognize the importance of our healthcare professionals and are committed to addressing the grievances. We urge the Guild to return to the negotiating table for the sake of the public,” the ministry stated.
Efforts to reach Medical Guild chairman Dr. Moruf Abdulsalam for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. Analysts warn that without concrete policy action and honoring past agreements, the impasse could deepen—a trend supported by a 2016 International Journal of Health Planning and Management study linking prolonged crises to weak enforcement.
A Nation at Risk
With the strike in its second day, the consequences are stark. Non-emergency procedures are delayed, maternal mortality risks are heightened, and access to treatment for chronic and acute conditions hangs in the balance. For patients like Egbe and countless others, the strike is not just a labor dispute—it is a matter of life and death.
The strike is expected to end on July 30, unless negotiations fail, raising fears of an extended shutdown. For now, the deserted wards of LASUTH and other facilities stand as a stark symbol of a healthcare system in distress.
