LASUTH doctors give Lagos govt 7-day ultimatum to pay allowances, arrears

The Association of Resident Doctors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has given the Lagos State Government seven days to address several issues, including implementing the specialist allowance for senior resident doctors and settling outstanding salary arrears. The ultimatum was issued following a three-day strike in June 2026 over demands such as the resumption of work at the doctors' quarters, the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) for state-employed doctors, and payment of allowances and arrears.

After meeting with government representatives, the doctors were informed that the specialist allowance for grade level 14 resident doctors would be added to the PAT, which would be forwarded to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for approval. However, LASUTH-ARD President Dr Akerele Alaba Gabriel expressed disappointment after discovering that the allowance was not included in the approved table.

Gabriel emphasized that the unpaid allowance is being paid in federal institutions and other states, and resident doctors in federal institutions were set to receive 19 months of overdue arrears in August.

Gabriel also criticized the Lagos State government for claiming that salary and advancement arrears could not be paid without the governor's approval. He stressed that the unpaid salary shortfalls and promotion-related arrears should be settled. The LASUTH-ARD president appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to personally intervene, highlighting the importance of resolving the issues for the welfare of the doctors and the continuity of healthcare services in Lagos State.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) branch in Lagos State expressed concerns over the potential escalation of the dispute into another industrial action. A patient at LASUTH, Omolara Ojo, also appealed to the government to address the doctors' concerns and prevent another disruption of medical services.