The Lagos State Government has withheld the August salaries of doctors in state-owned hospitals for taking part in the strike by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) which was called off only recently, according to a report by Premium Times
The doctors on their part have written several letters to the Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola pleading for his assistance.
One of the letters which was dated Wednesday, September 17, 2014 and titled: Re: Letter of Appeal for Members of Medical Guild, the Lagos state NMA appealed for the intervention of Fashola in the situation read:
“We write this letter as a follow up to our previous letter dated 9th September, 2014 in which we appealed for your intervention on the above subject matter.
“Our colleagues in other states have received their emoluments for the period of the national strike. As a leader with listening ears, we are hopeful that a favourable response on the issue will be received from the government.
“We have the assurance that your rare gesture of magnamity will re-enforce a more positive relationship between the Lagos state government and its medical doctors”
In an earlier letter which was dated Monday, September 15, 2014 and titled “Casualisation of Medical Doctors in Lagos State and Payment of Two Months Outstanding Salary,” the doctors said: “Your Excellency sir, we believe that as a professional, you will critically look into this towards regularising their appointments. The NMA will be eternally grateful if this anomally can be addressed.
“We also believe that if this is not nipped in the bud, it may spread to other states and result in further unrest in the already charged health sector,” the group stated.
The office of the governor has not yet officially replied to any of the letters.
