LUTH doctors suspend industrial action

Based on the agreement to reduce cost of healthcare services by 50 per cent at the Lagos State University Teaching hospital (LUTH), the three week industrial action embarked upon by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), has been called off.

Dr Omojowolo Olubunmi, the president of the association, disclosed that they decided to resume duties since part of the agreement reached between the hospital’s management and health workers has been honoured.

“You cannot get 100 percent of what you want, but I think we have got over 90 per cent and we are okay,” he said.

“The management has accepted and has reviewed downward some of the prices of services, especially some of the minor surgical procedures, to less than 50 percent of the present rate.

“Also, management has issued letters to specify the tenure of residency training for all residents that are involved, and [it] has also given its commitment that immediately the circular we are expecting from the federal government comes, it will issue fresh letters to all residents.”

He said communication, which was a problem between the hospital authorities and doctors, has also been taken care of. He said that taxation remains an area that is yet to be resolved, but he expressed optimism that there would be a way out since negotiations are ongoing.

Olubunmi  revealed that the association, along with LUTH management and other hospital unions under the auspices of the federal ministry of labour and productivity, had signed an agreement that will be beneficial to the doctors.

“The agreement we signed with the ministry of labour actually provided for a committee to monitor compliance to this agreement.

“So, I believe that management will comply with its own side of the bargain.”

Olubunmi advised the hospital authorities to be attentive to the demands of unions. He also suggested dialogue and sincerity, as means through which the unions and the management could work hand-in-hand.

Reacting to the development, Mrs. Hope Nwawolo, public relations officer of LUTH, maintained that industrial action cannot be prevented, and commended the doctors for calling off the strike.

“It is heartwarming that the strike has been called off,” she said.

”Generally, it may be absolutely difficult to prevent strikes, because workers will always agitate from time to time.

“However, the hospital management will continue to pursue vigorously and embrace the option of dialogue in resolving issues as and when they arise.”

NAN