Nigeria: Doctors in Lagos Begin Warning Strike Wednesday
The medical doctors who appealed to the people of Lagos to urge the Lagos State Government to do the needful in order to prevent another crisis in the Health Sector, regretted that the State government has reneged in the agreement it earlier had with them.
The Medical Guild is the association of doctors working under the employement of the Lagos State Government.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote said the Medical Guild Congress at its Ordinary General Meeting, which held on April 3, resolved to go on the strike to press home its demands for the implementation of CONMESS and the downward review of excessive taxation, which the government imposed on the doctors. "During this period, all services will be withdrawn by our members," said Odusote.
He said if need be, in-patients in severe medical conditions during this period may be transfered to hospitals in neighbouring states.
His words, "One year after the Lagos State Government entered into the agreements to implement CONMESS fully and do a downward review of the excessive tax regime, the Lagos State Government has refused to implement CONMESS."
Furthermore, rather than a downward review of the excessive taxation, in October, 2011, he said the monthly tax paid by doctors was increased.
Odusote said members of the executives have held several meetings with the government, presented several documents and wrote several letters of appeal to resolve the outstanding issues in order to prevent a disruption in the industrial peace in the health sector.
