Ebun Francis| Medical Guild, the association of doctors under the employment of the Lagos state government on Monday commenced a three-day warning strike over issues affecting their safety and welfare.
According to Oluwajimi Sodipo, chairman of the Guild, the strike would run from July 13 to 16, but would exempt members working in the state’s COVID-19 isolation centres, “even though they have not been paid for two months”.
Sodipo further stated that congress of the Guild had on June 27 extended the two weeks ultimatum to the state government, after the expiration of its initial 21 days ultimatum to resolve the issues, however, the government failed to take advantage of the grace period given to meet 70 percent of their demands in order to avert the strike.
He also accused the government of not paying attention to the issue of doctors getting infected and re-infected on a daily basis.
He said, “The issue of COVID-19 hazard allowances and inducement allowances memorandum of understanding approved by the federal government to the doctors has not been approved by the Lagos government to her doctors.”
“Doctors working in COVID-19 isolation centres are still being owed two months’ salaries. They are also being unceremoniously disengaged without recourse to their welfare.”
“Our members are putting themselves on the line daily to provide care, and we need to do everything to protect our colleagues.”
The doctors are demanding that adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), prompt testing of health workers, and insurance should be provided for them even as the issues of shortage of doctors in health facilities are yet to be resolved.
Sodipo continued, “The congress will reconvene after the three days warning strike to review the progress made and plan for further actions.”
“We call on the Lagos state government to do all within its power to resolve the impasse.”
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