Resident Doctors’ Strike Disrupts Services at LUTH

Healthcare services at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) remained disrupted on Monday as resident doctors continued an industrial action that has now entered its eighth day.

The strike, declared in line with a directive from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), followed failed efforts to resolve welfare issues with the hospital’s management.

Addressing journalists on Monday, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LUTH said the industrial action would continue until two key demands are met: the completion of the Resident Doctors’ Quarters and the restoration of call duty meals.

The association said an unfinished renovation project has left resident doctors without accommodation for more than 18 months, forcing many to sleep in hospital lounges, their vehicles and other unsuitable places while remaining on duty.

According to the doctors, the prolonged delay has affected their welfare, safety and well-being. 

“This prolonged delay has significantly affected the welfare, safety, and well-being of doctors,” the association stated. 

They urged the Nigerian Government to release the funds required to enable the hospital’s Chief Medical Director complete the renovation project.

The association also accused the hospital of withdrawing call duty meals, despite doctors routinely working shifts lasting more than 24 hours.

It argued that doctors attending emergencies cannot leave their duty posts to obtain food, adding that call duty meals are a basic welfare provision rather than a privilege. 

The ARD noted that similar arrangements exist in other federal tertiary health institutions across the country and should also be maintained at LUTH.

“Similar provisions exist in other federal tertiary health institutions across the country, and LUTH should not be an exception,” the ARD noted. 

The association appealed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and other stakeholders to intervene.

It warned that healthcare services at the hospital would continue to be affected unless the welfare concerns were addressed, while reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and expressing hope for a quick resolution to the dispute.

“Our desire has always been to remain at the bedside caring for our patients,” the association affirmed.

“However, quality healthcare cannot be sustained when the welfare and basic working conditions of healthcare workers are neglected.”