Lagos Doctors Down Tools in Shock Warning Strike Over “Illegal Deductions”

The bustling medical scene in Lagos State was thrown into disarray today as doctors under the aegis of the Medical Guild commenced a three-day warning strike in protest over what they described as illegal salary deductions by the state government. The strike, which began at the break of dawn, sent shockwaves across hospitals and clinics in the state, leaving patients stranded and many healthcare centres either under-functioning or completely deserted.

At the heart of this industrial action is a mounting grievance over the alleged unwarranted removal of funds from doctors’ monthly pay, a situation which the Guild has termed both unacceptable and a breach of trust. According to statements made available by the leadership of the Medical Guild, these deductions have persisted for several months without any clear explanation or dialogue from the authorities. Frustration among doctors has now boiled over, culminating in this strike meant to force the government to the negotiation table.

By 8:00 a.m. Monday morning, the usually busy corridors of state-owned general hospitals were noticeably quieter. Patients who arrived for routine checkups, follow-ups, and even emergencies found themselves met with closed doors, unattended reception desks, and skeleton staff scrambling to manage critical cases. The strike, although described as a warning action, has already begun to expose the fragile state of public healthcare and the potentially dire consequences of stalled communication between medical professionals and government agencies.

Reports from several hospitals across the state painted a picture of growing panic. At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), the waiting area was filled with worried faces, many of whom had travelled long distances only to be told that appointments would be rescheduled. Nurses and a few consultants who chose to remain on duty were seen trying to calm agitated patients, while emergency units operated on reduced manpower.

In a press briefing earlier this morning, Dr. Sa’eid Ahmad, Chairman of the Medical Guild, said the decision to down tools was not taken lightly. He explained that doctors had for months engaged in dialogue with relevant government officials over the continuous deductions, but their concerns had been met with silence and inaction. “Our members are being shortchanged without reason or explanation. We have made efforts to resolve this amicably, but it seems our voices are being deliberately ignored,” Dr. Ahmad stated firmly. “This strike is to alert the public and draw attention to the systemic injustice we are facing.”

He further clarified that the strike is not indefinite, but a warning shot that could escalate if the government fails to respond swiftly and meaningfully. “We are giving a three-day window, during which we hope the state government will come forward with explanations, corrections, and tangible steps to stop this illegality. Failure to do so may force us to embark on a more extensive and sustained industrial action.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has yet to issue an official response to the strike as at the time of filing this report. Attempts to reach representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Head of Service yielded no results. However, anonymous sources within Alausa Secretariat hinted that the matter is under review and that emergency meetings are being scheduled to address the concerns.

The strike has reignited broader conversations about the treatment of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, where doctors have previously staged protests and work stoppages over poor working conditions, delayed promotions, and remuneration issues. Many health experts argue that the continuous disregard for the welfare of doctors is pushing many out of the country, leading to a dangerous brain drain that threatens the entire health sector.

Outside of the hospitals, the strike is already having ripple effects on ordinary Lagosians. Pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses expressed fears over what the next few days might bring. “I was supposed to see my doctor today for my blood pressure medication, but now I have no idea what to do,” said Mrs. Olufunke Adewale, a retired teacher waiting outside a clinic in Ikeja. “These strikes always hurt the poor people the most. Government and doctors must find a way to fix this quickly.”

Taxi drivers and food vendors who rely on hospital traffic also lamented a sharp drop in business today. “There’s no movement, no people,” said Chike Obi, a keke rider stationed near a general hospital in Mushin. “When doctors strike, everything stops. We suffer too.”

This strike adds to a growing list of industrial actions plaguing the health sector in Nigeria. Earlier this year, resident doctors at the national level embarked on a strike over similar concerns of unpaid salaries and poor infrastructure. Analysts warn that unless systemic reforms are introduced, the country risks a full-blown collapse of public healthcare services, especially at the state level.

The Medical Guild has called on the general public to bear with them during this period, assuring that efforts are being made to engage emergency care workers to manage critical cases during the strike window. “We are doctors. We value life. But we also must demand that our rights be respected. We hope the people understand that this is a fight for fairness and for the sustainability of healthcare in Lagos,” Dr. Ahmad concluded.

As the countdown to the strike’s end begins, all eyes are now on the Lagos State Government to see whether it will rise to the challenge and address the doctors’ concerns before the situation escalates. For the thousands of patients caught in the middle, every hour that passes without resolution feels like an eternity. And with medical personnel standing their ground, it’s clear that without urgent intervention, Lagos could be heading towards a prolonged healthcare crisis.