The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos state branch, on Friday agreed to go on a sympathy strike with members of the Medical Guild, who have been on strike since Monday, 4th of May, 2009 over the Lagos state government’s failure to meet their demands.
This was stated on Friday by the Chairman of the Lagos state NMA, Adedamola Dada, at the end of a congress held today at LUTH, Idi-Araba.
“On Wednesday, we issued a communiquĂ© to the Lagos state government, giving them ultimatum till 8am this morning to negotiate with the Medical Guild which is an affiliate of the NMA. But as it is now, the ultimatum has expired and the strike has begun since 8am this morning but we are to suspend the strike by 4pm today to enable patients and their relatives seek alternatives. We are still going to give the state government till Monday, 11th of May, 2009, without which the strike will resume indefinitely until our demands are met.”
Dr. Dada stated that the decision was unanimously agreed upon by its members during the congress and added that though NMA would suspend the strike today, the Medical Guild strike would continue.
“We are also going to have a peaceful protest to the state house on Friday next week to show our grievance,” he said.
He also said that he is acting on the mandate given to him by the NMA national body to see that issues concerning Lagos state doctors are addressed accordingly and will not relent until the mandate is accomplished.
Activities at the Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, were grounded due to the strike action. Patients were not being seen and doctors seemed absent from hospital premises.
Dr. Dada also added that Maroof Agara, the secretary-general of the Medical Guild, who was assaulted on Tuesday by police officers at the Surulere General Hospital on the order of the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Tayo Bello, has regained consciousness and is responding to treatment.