LASUTH Doctors Give Lagos Government 7-Day Ultimatum Over Unpaid Allowances, Salary Arrears

The Association of Resident Doctors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH-ARD) has given the Lagos State Government a seven-day ultimatum to resolve outstanding issues concerning specialist allowances and salary arrears for resident doctors. President of LASUTH-ARD, Dr. Akerele Alaba Gabriel, announced the ultimatum during a press briefing. This action followed a three-day strike by doctors from June 15 to 17, 2026, over concerns about their welfare and working conditions.

During the strike, doctors demanded the resumption of construction for resident doctors' quarters within LASUTH, implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) for doctors in Lagos State, payment of specialist allowance for Grade Level 14 resident doctors (Senior Registrar 1), and payment of salary shortfalls and advancement arrears.

After meeting with officials, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the association claimed that the specialist allowance for SR1 resident doctors was not included in the Professional Allowance Table approved by the governor.

The doctors expressed disappointment upon discovering that the specialist allowance was absent from the approved salary payments. They accused the state government of deceit and breach of trust, stating that the specialist allowance remained unpaid. Additionally, the doctors criticized the government's stance on the payment of salary shortfalls and advancement arrears, asserting that the owed amounts belonged to the promoted members and should be compensated.

LASUTH-ARD argued that payment of the specialist allowance had been provided to resident doctors in federal institutions since February 2026, and some other states, including Osun, Delta, and Enugu, had also paid the allowance. The association stated that a 19-month arrears payment was expected to commence in August at federal institutions. They described the exclusion of SR1 resident doctors from the allowance as unjust, demoralizing, and detrimental to healthcare delivery in Lagos State.

The doctors demanded three immediate actions from the state government: implementation and payment of the specialist allowance for Grade Level 14 resident doctors, payment of arrears, and settlement of outstanding salary shortfalls and advancement arrears. They appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene, emphasizing the need for fairness, equity, and quality healthcare delivery.

The association commended the governor for providing Medical Residency Training Funds and implementing professional allowances but maintained that the unresolved demands could lead to further industrial actions, potentially causing industrial disharmony in the state's health sector.