Nigeria

Healthcare services at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have continued to experience disruptions as the industrial action by resident doctors entered its eighth day on Monday.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) said the strike was triggered by unresolved welfare concerns and followed a directive from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) after prolonged efforts to reach an agreement with the hospital management failed.

At a press briefing on Monday, the doctors listed two major demands: the immediate completion of the Resident Doctors’ Quarters and the restoration of call duty meals.

According to the Association, resident doctors have been unable to use their quarters for more than 18 months because renovation work on the facility remains incomplete.

The doctors said they routinely work continuous shifts lasting more than 24 hours, including overnight duties while responding to critical emergencies.

They added that the prolonged delay in completing the accommodation project has forced some doctors, including those who commute long distances across Lagos, to sleep in their cars, hospital lounges and other unsuitable places while continuing to provide medical care.

“This prolonged delay has significantly affected the welfare, safety, and well-being of doctors,” the Association said, urging the Federal Government to urgently release the funds required for the Chief Medical Director to complete the renovation.

The ARD also identified the alleged withdrawal of call duty meals as another major issue behind the industrial action.

The Association said resident doctors often work shifts extending beyond 24 hours and remain at their duty posts overnight to attend to emergencies.

It argued that because doctors cannot leave their posts to search for food during such shifts, call duty meals should be regarded as an essential welfare provision rather than a privilege.

According to the doctors, the provision is necessary to support safe and uninterrupted patient care.

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

The Association called on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako; and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the dispute.

The doctors warned that healthcare services at LUTH would remain disrupted without urgent steps to restore what they described as basic working conditions.

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

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

The ARD said it remained committed to constructive dialogue and hoped that the dispute would be resolved quickly.