Lagos Plead To Doctors To Call-Off Strike

The Lagos State Government yesterday pleaded to doctors in the state(Lagos) who started a three-day warning strike to call-off strike and resume work immediately.

The State government in a statement endorsed by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Gbenga Omotoso made available to journalists noted that it was disappointed that the doctors still embarked on the strike after a joint meeting between the Commissioners for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle and the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola as well as all the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Health, Establishment and Information on Sunday.

He said , ’’It is pertinent to note that the State Government expresses extreme disappointment that the Guild continued with their warning strike despite a series of engagements with the State Government aimed at resolving some of the grievances raised, noting that many issues have already been resolved, whilst unresolved issues are still being deliberated upon.

‘’It is worrisome that some members of this noble profession would down tool at a time when their services are mostly required. We believe this action is insensitive and lacks empathy which our profession epitomizes. ‘’

The  Government, therefore, requests the members of the medical Guild who embarked on a three-day warning strike today to return back to work.

According to him, it is also imperative to correctly state the facts and act on the major issues raised by the Guild with respect to some issues affecting the frontline and indeed all health care personnel which include the fact that Health workers were being unceremoniously dismissed from the isolation centers.

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‘’Mr Governor has been extremely supportive of health workers being mindful of the extreme sacrifices that healthcare professionals are demonstrating in the COVID-19 response. We are currently rotating our health workers who are engaged in providing care at the isolation facilities. They are not being dismissed, this is wrong information. Healthcare professionals are returning to their primary posting for the following reasons:

‘’To reduce fatigue and burn out amongst health workers; To build capacity for treatment of COVID19 across the health workforce; To ensure that as many health workers as possible benefit from the additional allowances; Non-payment of COVID19 Allowances for May and June – LASG started paying extra special COVID allowances for frontline workers who are involved directly with the Lagos State COVID-19 response.

‘’’This was put in place before any other State in the nation with payments as high as N672,000 per month in addition to their normal remuneration packages for each cadre and which represents financial incentives over and above that paid by the Federal counterparts.

‘’In fact, where discrepancies exist between Federal and State allowances, Lagos State has paid the difference to ensure parity. Payments for March and April were made on time however in order to ensure uniformity and accuracy of the allowances, due diligence measures had to be put in place before subsequent month’s payments were approved. As we speak these payments have been approved and being received by the workforce.

‘’’Additionally, all healthcare professionals receive a hazard allowance which has been temporarily increased by 400 per cent at the discretion of Mr Governor periodically during this period.’’

Omotoso assured that the State government will continue to play its part in ensuring the battle over COVID -19 is won, under the able leadership of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and urge the Guild to continue to take full advantage of the dispute resolution processes provided by the State to resolve all issues bearing in mind that these are unusual times for the nation and the entire world.

‘’The government therefore wishes to assure citizens that while the negotiation is ongoing, services at all state-owned health facilities can still be accessed,’’ he said.

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