The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, has issued a fresh warning that doctors under the state’s employment may embark on an indefinite strike following what it described as “wicked” and “illegal” deductions from their July salaries by the State Treasury Office (STO).
According to the NMA, the Lagos State Ministry of Finance, through the STO, unilaterally implemented a revised medical salary scale that slashed doctors’ pay without consultation despite earlier negotiations aimed at averting industrial action.
In a statement, NMA Chairman Dr. Saheed Babajide said the deductions have not been reversed, even after a three-day warning strike, accusing top health officials of failing to act to prevent a collapse of healthcare delivery in the state.
He also urged the Commissioner for Health and Permanent Secretaries in the state’s health sector to uphold the integrity, dignity, and welfare of medical and dental practitioners employed by the government.
The Guild had suspended its warning strike in hopes of a resolution, but the NMA said no meaningful progress has been made, warning that an indefinite strike is now on the table.
Writing by Ngozi Okpala