Many patients seeking medical care in Lagos State government hospitals were left stranded on Monday as doctors under the Medical Guild began a three-day warning strike over unresolved issues with the state government.

The Medical Guild, which represents doctors employed by the Lagos State Government, is protesting what it described as “illegal and disrespectful” salary deductions. The doctors are demanding an immediate reversal of the July salary cuts and the full payment of 12 months’ arrears owed to honorary consultants under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

The strike, which began on Monday, July 29, and will run until the morning of Thursday, July 31, was approved during an emergency congress held over the weekend. The Guild said the action became necessary after repeated breaches by the government and failed attempts at resolving the matter through dialogue.

“We are prepared to escalate our measures if the government does not respond swiftly. The welfare of our members and the integrity of the health system are at stake,” a Guild official said.

In a message to members, the Guild called for full compliance with the strike, adding that monitoring teams would enforce adherence and sanction non-compliance.

Newsmen during a visit to the General Hospitals in Isolo and Alimosho,reported that outpatient clinics were shut, with only emergency and limited inpatient services running. At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), a similar situation was observed.

At Isolo General Hospital, a nurse at the ENT department told patients that only one consultant doctor had been begged to report for duty, and even her arrival time was uncertain.

“The doctors are on strike. We only begged one of our consultants to come, and she’s on her way. She may not be able to see everyone,” the nurse said, advising patients without appointments to reschedule.

She also warned that services could worsen as nurses are expected to join the strike on Tuesday, affecting hospitals nationwide.

One frustrated patient, visiting the ENT clinic for the first time, said, “I’ve never been here before. I just came to see a doctor.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has appealed to the Medical Guild to suspend the strike, assuring that all grievances are being addressed with urgency and sincerity. Negotiations are ongoing.