LUTH Doctors' Strike Frustrates Patients

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Patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, have expressed frustration over the indefinite strike embarked upon by doctors in the hospital this week.

The doctors, under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), on Tuesday had embarked on an indefinite strike over a new tax law which they described as exorbitant and lacking uniform application.

They alleged that LUTH management had been deducting huge amounts from their monthly salaries as tax.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) check at the hospital showed that only the consultants, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and cleaners were on duty.

The patients appealed to the doctors and the hospital management to reach an agreement and resolve the impasse soon.

Mr Laolu Popoola, one of the patients, said the strike was becoming a recurring decimal in a sector where it should be avoided because of the lives involved.

“Strike is taking place too often in our hospitals, and this is very grievous because lives of people are involved.

“Government should avert strikes in the hospitals at all cost.

“I came here early this morning unaware of the strike, and I am yet to see a doctor because only the senior doctors are on duty,” he said.

Another patient, who simply gave her name as Uche, said: “I am so used to the quality of service I get in LUTH.

“I do not like to visit private hospitals where I may not get a specialist.

“Besides, going to private hospitals is very expensive and you might not even be adequately treated.”

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Miss Sholape Disu, another patient, said the strike had frustrated her effort to see a doctor.

“I came here yesterday to find out that the doctors are on strike and I spent the whole day without seeing a doctor because only the senior doctors are in attendance.

“I decided to come early today hoping I will see one doctor to attend to me on time, but it is still the same because there are not enough doctors.

“I am so disappointed. I had to take time off work to come to the hospital and going to a private hospital is expensive,” she said.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Akin Osibogun, told NAN that efforts were being made by the management and other medical teams to ensure smooth running of the institution.

“The doctors have the right to sue if they wish to do so.

“It is even better to take legal action if an agreement could not be reach after peaceful dialogue.

“We are only doing what the law stipulates we should do and failure to comply attracts a penalty.”

Dr Olatunji Adenekan, president of the association, however, could not be reached for comment.

The striking doctors had on 4 December embarked on a three-day warning strike to seek a review of their tax.

NAN reports that when they could not reach an agreement with the hospital management, they decided to go on an indefinite strike on 11 December.

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