In recent times, medical establishments across the nation have been disrupted by a series of labor strikes.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) initiated an industrial action on July 26 after the Federal Government failed to meet their demands which significantly affected hospital services in tertiary hospitals and Federal Medical Centres nationwide.
However, following what was described as "a very fruitful meeting" with lawmakers, led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the association directed its members to end the strike and resume work on August 12.
On August 2, the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos Zone, also issued directives for medical doctors in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to initiate an indefinite strike in response to the unfortunate death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso.
Diaso, a medical house officer at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, lost her life on August 1 due to injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed in the staff quarters of the hospital.
A visit to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Igando General Hospital revealed that clinical services at these facilities have returned to normalcy. Patients interviewed separately by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos expressed their gratitude for the truce, emphasizing that patients often bear the brunt of such labor disputes.
One expectant mother, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Odunayo, who was at the Igando Hospital, praised the suspension of the strike, highlighting the challenges patients face during such industrial actions.
She also appealed to both the Federal and state governments to address issues promptly in order to prevent recurring strikes within the nation's health sector.
“I came to the hospital on Aug. 4, but couldn’t see the physician, I was told they are on strike and only attend to emergency cases alone.
“More efforts should be put into improving the health sector as it will help people get timely, high-quality health care services that will promote well-being,” she said.
