Doctors’ strike: Skeletal activities allowed at LASUTH, consultants take charge
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The seven-day industrial action declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has partially paralyzed medical activities at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
The ongoing doctors strike was to clamour for the release of their kidnapped colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who has been in captivity for over eight months.
NARD President, Dr Dele Abdullahi had ordered a nationwide strike in a statement, stating that the strike would begin Monday, August 26, 2024, at 12 am.
Abdullahi disclosed that the decision was made during the virtual Emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted nearly eight months ago, along with her husband and nephew.
While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
Findings by Champion correspondent showed that some general hospitals carried out normal business of the day on Tuesday 26, while LASUTH recorded skeletal activities.
A staff of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASU) who did not want his name in print told our correspondent that though the residents were on strike, consultants and house officers were on ground to attend to emergencies.
“Let me tell you how things are done when we have a case like this. Surgical emergency unit is available, we have consultants as well as house officers who attend to patients.
“But I must let you also know that some patients were asked to go back home because of the strike by the resident doctors.
“Those who have critical conditions and serious case would be attended to except for patients on medical check ups and routine services.”
However, another staff at LASUTH declined to give information on the impacts of the strike on patients.
She simply said, “Generally, we know doctors are on strike but for me to tell the impact, you would have to call the GMD.”
However, it was gathered that other general hospitals in Lagos such as at Ile-Epo, Ifako-Ijaiye, medical activities were going on unhindered.
Speaking to our correspondent, a staff of Ile-Epo general hospital who simply identified herself as Mrs Ayoola said, “Activities are going on smoothly here. Our doctors are attending to patients.”
