23rd August, 2010
There was great joy by patients in hospitals across Lagos State, Nigeria this morning, as doctors returned to work after over a week-long strike to press home for improved welfare for its members.
The doctors suspended their strike last Friday after the National Industrial Court ordered them to do so in order to pave way for negotiation with the Lagos State Government.
As at this morning, many patients had turned up in various hospitals across the state to seek doctors’ attention, who were readily available to attend to them.
At Orile Agege General Hospital, a large number of patients was seen struggling to be attended to by doctors, while many of them expressed joy that their needs would be met.
According to a patient called Mustapha Abu, it was a thing of joy that the doctors had finally called off the strike, saying that this resulted in people turning out enmasse to be attended to by doctors.
“Normally, General Hospital is for the poor.  The doctors should resolve their problems with the government and they should not allow the masses to bear the brunt again,†he said.
Mrs. Arike Dada, who was at the Orile Agege General Hospital said she was elated that the strike had been called off, saying that she was sure of seeing a doctor to attend to her today.
Francisca Nwobi, a patient, she said she was happy that the doctors had called off the strike, while Ifeoluwa Adams expressed happiness that the strike had been suspended.
Franca Ebgou said she is elated because she had been coming to the Orile Agege General Hospital for a month now to collect the result of a test she did, saying that the doctors’ strike greatly affected her but added that she was sure of collecting it today.
“I am happy that the doctors have called off the strike.  Some people have been here for a long time. Now they can attend to them.  It is a good idea that they called off the strike,†said Kingsley Edo.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga