By Sola Ogundipe & Olasunkanmi Akoni

TWELVE weeks after doctors employed by the Lagos State government embarked on strike to press home demand for payment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, the state government finally consented to the  doctors’ demands as Governor Babatunde Fashola approved 75 per cent salary increase for the aggrieved medical personnel.

But the end may not have been heard about the face-off between the two parties as the body of doctors have complained that the government circular was made public before it received their blessing, in conflict with an earlier agreement.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, a copy of which was made available to Vanguard, yesterday, Fashola directed the implementation of an increase in the salaries and allowances of medical/dental officers in the state public service.

The statement read: “Further thereto, having painstakingly examined the issue, His Excellency has directed in line with the newly approved pay policy of the state, an implementation of an increase in the salaries and allowances of medical/dental officers in the state public service to an amount equivalent to about 75 per cent of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure in order to prevent further loss of lives and protect the welfare of the citizens of the state.”

To review Dr.Olaifa’s dismissal

In addition to the above and response to the doctors’ demands, the government also agreed to review the dismissal of Dr. Ibrahim Olaifa; the commencement of the deduction of the Guild’s check-off dues through the state Treasury  Office;and review of the issue of tax deduction in order to comply with relevant tax laws of the state.

The government thereby urged the striking doctors to call off their strike. It will be recalled that the doctors had embarked on indefinite strike for nine weeks due to the failure of the government to address their plight.

The protracted doctors’ strike called by the Medical Guild, took a dramatic turn last week when their counterparts in the federal health institutions embarked on a three-day solidarity strike.

The development, on the orders of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, removed the only respite left for Lagosians seeking healthcare services in the state.