Lagos Doctors Demand Action As LUTH Fails To Provide Meal Allowances.
The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern warning to the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), condemning the hospital’s failure to provide meal allowances for doctors on call duty. The association’s outcry follows years of unresolved grievances, with doctors accusing LUTH of neglecting their welfare despite repeated complaints.
In a communiqué released after an Emergency General Meeting held on 15 August 2025, the NMA, led by Chairman Dr Saheed Babajide Kehinde, expressed unwavering support for the Medical Guild’s 21-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government, which demands the refund of unauthorised salary deductions from July and full payment of August wages. However, the NMA highlighted that the issue of meal allowances at LUTH has been a persistent sore point, with the hospital failing to provide free call duty meals for over five years. “We insist that free call meals must be provided to doctors on duty. The welfare of those who keep the health system running is not negotiable,” the communiqué stated.
The NMA rejected a proposal by LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, made in February 2025, to introduce a subsidised canteen system. The association argued that doctors working 24-hour shifts deserve meals at no cost, describing the suggestion as inadequate and dismissive of their contributions. The issue is set to be revisited at the NMA’s next General Congress in three weeks, where further action may be decided if no progress is made.
Beyond meal allowances, the NMA raised concerns over unpaid “skipping arrears”—entitlements already settled in other federal hospitals. The association expressed frustration over delays in compiling a list of eligible doctors at LUTH, urging the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) to expedite the process or allow the Chief Medical Director to act on existing records. “Workers deserve their wages, regardless of when the arrears were incurred,” Dr Kehinde asserted.
The NMA’s statement also addressed broader issues with the Lagos State Government, accusing it of subjecting doctors to financial hardship through arbitrary salary deductions. The association warned that failure to resolve these grievances by 25 August 2025 could lead to an indefinite strike by the Medical Guild, with the NMA pledging to join in solidarity two weeks later if the government remains unresponsive. “The persistent tampering with doctors’ earnings without explanation is an affront to the medical profession,” the communiqué read.
Urging swift action, the NMA called on Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, to intervene and prevent a collapse of healthcare services. The association emphasised that its members are committed to patient care but cannot continue to work under such conditions. “We are not threatening for the sake of it, but if these issues are not resolved, we will stand firmly with the Medical Guild,” Dr Kehinde said.
The Lagos State Government has acknowledged the concerns and appealed for dialogue, with the Ministry of Health stating that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to healthcare workers’ welfare. However, with the ultimatum’s deadline now passed, tensions remain high as doctors await concrete action to address their demands.
