LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has appealed to members of the Medical Guild to call off their three-day warning strike set to begin today, assuring that efforts are underway to address their grievances with sincerity and urgency.

In a statement issued by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Health, the state government acknowledged the concerns raised by the Medical Guild the association of doctors under Lagos State employment and reiterated its commitment to dialogue.

This comes after the Medical Guild declared a three-day warning strike on Saturday, citing unresolved salary deductions and outstanding payments. The strike officially commenced on Monday, July 29.

“We urge the Medical Guild to continue on the path of dialogue while we work to reach a peaceful and just resolution in the interest of all parties, especially the residents who may bear the brunt of any service disruption,” the government said.

A conciliation committee, made up of representatives from the state and the Medical Guild, has been meeting to resolve issues, and the documents submitted by the Guild are currently under review. The government said it remains committed to the welfare, motivation, and productivity of healthcare workers.

Background to the Dispute

At a press conference held at the Medical Guild Secretariat, the Guild’s Chairman, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the decision to strike was a last resort after several failed attempts at resolving the issue through dialogue.

He explained that the conflict began in April when the state government made unexplained salary deductions, which were later reversed after “spirited intervention.” However, a fresh round of deductions occurred in July this time without prior notice or explanation prompting renewed frustration.

Key demands by the Guild include:

• Immediate reversal of the July salary deductions.
• Full payment of the 12-month revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Government Response and Public Reassurance

While urging restraint, the Lagos State Government commended the patience of Lagosians and said contingency plans were in place to mitigate the impact on health services during the strike.

“As a responsible government, we value the critical role our healthcare professionals play in delivering quality and timely health services to the over 20 million residents of Lagos State,” the statement read.

The government assured that ongoing engagement with the Medical Guild would continue until a resolution is reached.

Public Health at Stake

Healthcare access may be disrupted for thousands of Lagos residents as the strike takes effect. Civil society groups and patient advocacy organizations have urged both parties to prioritize public interest and reach a swift resolution to avoid service collapse in hospitals and public clinics.