Strike: Gov Sanwo-Olu meets doctors, grants demands
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The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has met wit members of Medical Guild and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in a bid to stop the ongoing strike embarked upon by doctors across the countries.
The meeting, which was held in the late hours of Sunday, saw Governor Sanwo-Olu yield to the demands of the striking doctors.
During the meeting, the governors was said to approve some requests of the striking doctors, according to a statement by the Lagos State information commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso.
Mr. Omotoso quoted the governor as chiding the striking doctors for joining their colleagues in other states to embark on the strike.
The statement read in part:
“Doctors have got some good news from the government of Lagos State, which granted their requests on some issues over which the National Association of Resident Doctors ordered a strike.
“The strike began on July 2.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu got the doctors’ union leaders smiling after a meeting today at the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja.
“He told them that there was no need to have joined the strike in solidarity with their colleagues in other places because the State Government had performed its duties to them.”
Other issues and their resolutions discussed during the meeting, according to the statement, are as follows:
The Circular issued by Head of Service
The Circular issued by the Head of Service removing Housemanship and NYSC Doctors from the Scheme of Service was discussed. The residents appealed to Mr Governor to revoke or suspend the circular.
The HOS explained the importance of domesticating decisions made at the Federal level.
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It was decided that there will be a follow-on Circular to clarify the implications of the circular and allay any fears that may have arisen from its misinterpretation.
The Medical Residency Training Act, which makes provision for sponsorship of Resident Doctors training to be Specialists in Federal or State Medical Schools was also discussed.
Mr Governor in April had approved for the State Government to fully sponsor Resident Doctors in the State (100 per cent of the fund).
He further directed full implementation of the State’s support of both the Exams and Update Courses that lead to qualification as specialists in various fields of medicine.
Regular recruitment
Sanwo-Olu approved the recruitment of over 150 new resident doctors and medical officers to reduce the human resource deficit in the public service of the State to improve the patient-doctor ratio in the State hospitals.
Residential Quarters
The Governor also approved the commencement of the building of the Medical Residents Quarters at LASUTH as well as other medical staff quarters across the State.
Disparity Between State and Federal Remuneration Packages
On the discrepancy between the remuneration packages of the State and Federal doctors in the public service, Mr Governor approved the final tranche of 25 per cent difference to complete the harmonisation.
