The Lagos State Government has appealed to members of the Medical Guild to suspend their planned three-day warning strike, which is scheduled to begin today, citing ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the doctors’ grievances. The appeal was made in a statement released by the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, who emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the issues with “utmost sincerity and urgency.”

The Medical Guild — a body representing doctors employed by the state government — declared the strike on July 26, following unresolved disputes over salary deductions and unpaid arrears. At a press conference on Saturday, Guild Chairman Dr. Japhet Olugbogi explained that the action was prompted by the government’s repeated salary deductions, most recently in July, without prior notice or explanation. The doctors are demanding the immediate reversal of the latest deductions and full payment of 12-month Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

In response, the state government acknowledged the concerns raised and reiterated that a conciliation committee comprising representatives from both sides is actively working to resolve the matters. The government urged doctors to embrace continued dialogue, stressing that patient welfare and uninterrupted healthcare services for Lagos’ over 20 million residents remain a top priority. Contingency plans are reportedly being put in place to cushion the impact of the strike on health services during the period.