Medical doctors under the umbrella of Medical Guild have suspended their three-day warning strike on Wednesday, as the association has directed the doctors to resume on Thursday, 16 July.
In a press statement titled: ‘’Resolutions of Medical Guild representative council meeting held via Zoom on Wednesday, 15th July 2020’’, jointly signed by doctors Oluwajimi Sodipo and Ismail Ajibowo, the chairman and secretary of the Guild, relevant activities of stakeholders towards the resolution of the strike were noted.
The Chairman specifically noted the intervention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his wife, Dr (Mrs) Sanwo-Olu; Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akinolu, and other notable Lagosians, with the promise of complete resolution of all pending issues.
The chairman mentioned the intervention of Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other notable Lagosians including the first lady (Dr Mrs) Sanwo-Olu and the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akinolu on the issues, with the promise of complete resolution of all pending issues.
Sodipo further hinted on the outcome of the meeting, saying with the level of dialogue and commitment demonstrated by stakeholders, the Guild decided to suspend the 3-day warning strike.
It was also agreed that officers committee should continue to engage relevant government agencies on all the issues that precipitated the strike action.
They further craved the indulgence of the officers committee to call for congress whenever the need arises to update members on progress of negotiations.
Their resolution further reads: “The government should demonstrate sincerity and commitment during the negotiation in order to avert unnecessary and preventable crisis in the health sector of Lagos state.
“We wish to use this medium to appreciate all our members for their steadfastness in this struggle and assure them of the Medical Guild leadership commitment towards their safety and welfare”.
In a similar development, the Lagos State Health Service Commission has announced the commencement of the process to recruit medical professionals into general hospitals across the state. The commission, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision to fill the vacant positions in the 27 general hospitals across the state followed the approval granted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to increase the number of medical personnel in the hospitals.
“Some of the vacant positions for employment opportunities include that of medical consultants, medical and dental officers, pharmacists, nursing officers, pharmacy technicians, dental therapists and dental technicians,” the statement said.
While noting that the recruitment portal, jobs.lagosstate.gov.ng, will only be accessible for three weeks, from 12 noon on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, to 12noon on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, the commission said it would not welcome submission of forms in its office in view of the COVID-19 protocols.
