The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has backed the indefinite strike by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, urging the Lagos State Government to urgently resolve their outstanding welfare concerns.
NARD said the LASUTH doctors strike followed prolonged delays in addressing issues affecting doctors at the tertiary healthcare institution, despite previous agreements and assurances.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and Secretary-General, Dr Shuabu Ibrahim, the national body declared its “full solidarity” with the Association of Resident Doctors, LASUTH.
The association called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Ministry of Health to intervene directly and resolve the dispute.
Among the issues highlighted was the alleged non-payment of specialist allowance to Grade Level 14 resident doctors, particularly Senior Registrars 1.
NARD said the implementation of the allowance had not kept pace with applicable federal standards.
The association also cited outstanding salary shortfalls and advancement arrears allegedly owed to doctors since last year.
It further raised concerns over 25 months of arrears linked to the delayed implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, PAT.
According to NARD, discrepancies and irregularities were also allegedly noticed in recent salary payments.
It therefore called for comprehensive salary breakdown tables to be released so affected doctors could understand how the payments were calculated.
NARD said doctors at LASUTH had continued working despite the unresolved welfare issues but eventually reached a point where industrial action became necessary.
“Our colleagues at LASUTH have shown immense patience and dedication, but the persistent failure to honour agreements leaves them with no choice,” the association stated.
The national body warned that prolonging the LASUTH doctors strike could further affect patient care and healthcare stability across Lagos State. It urged the state government to engage LASUTH-ARD in constructive negotiations and address the outstanding demands.
NARD appealed to Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Health to treat the dispute with “utmost urgency” and work towards restoring normal medical operations.
“We call on His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos State Ministry of Health to intervene directly, meet these critical demands, and avert a prolonged crisis that threatens patient care and healthcare stability in the state,” it said.
The association maintained that resolving the dispute would require an immediate intervention and negotiated settlement. NARD said it would continue supporting the LASUTH resident doctors until the outstanding welfare concerns were fully resolved.
“ NARD stands shoulder-to-shoulder with LASUTH-ARD until the issue is fully resolved,” the association declared.
