NMA raises concern over Resident doctors’ strike in Lagos
Nigerian Medical Association Raises Alarm Over Lagos Doctors’ Strike
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has voiced serious concerns regarding a three-day warning strike initiated by resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
In a statement released Thursday by Dr. Sunday Ewonowo, Chairman of the NMA’s Lagos Chapter, and Secretary Dr. O.J. Hassan, the association warned that failing to address the issues behind the strike could lead to a wider healthcare crisis in Lagos and potentially across Nigeria.
The strike was called by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LASUTH, citing the Lagos State Government’s inability to resolve longstanding welfare and professional issues affecting doctors at the institution. The NMA described the situation as regrettable and avoidable, indicating that the industrial action became necessary after multiple attempts at engagement yielded no significant results.
Key demands from the resident doctors include the immediate initiation and completion of a modernized Residents’ Quarters and Residency Training Centre, implementation of a revised professional allowance, and the disbursement of specialist allowances to eligible Senior Registrar I doctors. They are also calling for enhanced security measures for healthcare workers, patients, and facilities.
The NMA has urged the Lagos State Government and LASUTH management to engage with the ARD leadership promptly to avert an escalation that could lead to an indefinite strike.
Additionally, the NMA expressed concern about a 21-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) during its May 2026 meeting in Kano. This ultimatum, effective from June 6, 2026, addresses unresolved welfare issues impacting resident doctors nationwide, including the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), unpaid salary, advancement and promotion arrears, and delays regarding professional allowance disputes.
The association noted NARD’s directive for the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty. Failure to comply within the ultimatum’s timeframe may lead to a total and indefinite strike by resident doctors at LUTH.
The NMA acknowledged a communiqué from the Association of Resident Doctors at LUTH, which affirmed members’ readiness to undertake industrial action in alignment with NARD’s directive if their demands remain unmet.
The NMA emphasized that the welfare of doctors is directly correlated with the quality of healthcare services provided to the public, stressing that a well-supported workforce is essential for improving health outcomes. The association is calling for immediate action from the Lagos State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the leadership of LASUTH and LUTH to address these pressing welfare concerns.
