Resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, have said they will begin a three-day warning strike on January 28 over shortage of house officers and resident doctors.
President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-LASUTH), Fatai Balogun, announced at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos that the strike would be total.
The association had in September 2018 went on an indefinite strike to demand the replacement of the exited house officers and resident doctors in LASUTH.
Dr. Balogun said that the strike was suspended based on the promises by the management to replace the exited officers and the affirmation of the approval by the state government.
He said that all available means of communication with both the hospital management and government had proved abortive.
“This crisis has been a recurring event over the past years without any structured policy put in place to ensure seamless replacement of the exited and existing doctors.
“This, however, creates loopholes in the provision of optimal clinical service delivery.
“It is made to appear that the only language understood by them is an avoidable industrial action.
“All we are asking for are seamless employment of resident doctors and house officers; this should not be a tall order.
“The association is left with no option, but to reluctantly resume the suspended strike with a three-day warning strike which inevitably commences at 8.00a.m on Monday, January 28,” he said.
The president said that shortage of doctors at the hospital had resulted in long waiting period by patients and inefficient healthcare service.
He also said that available doctors at the hospital were being overworked and falling ill due to the workload.
In reaction, the LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said that positive action would be taken to avert the proposed strike.
