LUTH doctors suspend eight-week strike

The Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital chapter, Idi-Araba, Lagos, has suspended its eight weeks strike over the non-reversal of the skipping policy for doctors working at the hospital.

The LUTH ARD President, Dr. Moronkola Ramon, in a statement on Sunday said the doctors would resume work today on Monday.

Ramon said the association called off the strike following appeal from ex-President, Chief. Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, civil society groups and well meaning Nigerians.

He stated, “We called off the strike based on the appeal by his Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and 0ther well meaning Nigerians. It is our hope that the hospital management will reciprocate this gesture by adhering to the terms of agreement in ensuring smooth implementation of the Federal Government directive on the adjusted grade level among other issues which have lingered for too long.

“While we reaffirm the legitimacy of our demands, we want to appeal to members of the public who were the direct victims of this impasse for their understanding and constructive criticism.

“We hereby call on the Federal Government to institute a probe into the immediate and remote cause of crisis in the health sector. The strike could have been averted if the relevant authorities adhered to the Federal Government circular on skipping that was issued on the 19th December, 2013, from the Office of the Head of Civil Service.”

The doctors embarked on an indefinite strike on June 16, when LUTH’s management stopped skipping, a policy whereby doctors were given double promotion.