The indefinite strike embarked upon Lagos doctors, under the auspices of Medical Guild, took a toll on healthcare system in the state, yesterday, as several cases of deaths were allegedly recorded.
Patients were left unattended to at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja,?? General Hospitals in Isolo and Orile Agege, among others.???
LEADERSHIPWEEKEND arrived at LASUTH, yesterday at about 9 am, just as armed policemen, numbering six, came in a black pick-up van and took strategic positions within the emergency ward of the health institution.
Although they did not interfere with the on-going activities, their presence was a course for concern to visitors and passersby.
Further Findings by LEADERSHIPWEEKEND revealed that the emergency ward was almost deserted, except for two dead bodies lying on the bed, which were later moved to the mortuary.
They were confirmed to be the two patients on admission, who were allegedly not cared for as a result of the strike.
A source at the hospital revealed that one of the patients, a man, died on Tuesday night, while the other one died on Wednesday morning.
The source, which pleaded anonymity, hinted that the patients were in critical condition and required intensive care which could not be rendered as a result of the strike embarked upon by the doctors.
“This is the kind of situation we witness each time there is a strike. The situation is the same in other state-owned hospitals. It is a pity many more patients are going to die. Unfortunately, these deaths will not be reported. This is the reality of strike.”
Most of the consulting rooms were either shut or inactive. An attendant at the LASUTH mortuary simply remarked:”What do you expect when doctors refuse to work?”
However, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, blamed the state government for allowing the situation between them and the Medical Guild to degenerate into an indefinite strike.
Earlier, Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote, described the panel set up by government for the trials of doctors, at the Health Service Commission, over the three-day warning strike, as “illegal.”