?
Activities at Lagos State general hospitals were on Wednesday at a low ebb following the indefinite strike embarked on by doctors on Tuesday.
Doctors, under the aegis of Medical Guild, Lagos, had embarked on an indefinite strike, following the state government's refusal to implement agreements reached by the parties in 2011.
The group had accused the state government of victimisation and insensitivity.
Some of the doctors who had already been served queries for joining a three-day warning strike observed earlier in the month, also declined to appear before the Personnel Management Board (PMB) on Tuesday.
NAN correspondent reports that only nurses, laboratory technicians and cleaners were on duty at the various hospitals visited.
Some patients who spoke to NAN, appealed to both the doctors and the state government to consider the health of the citizens.
A patient, Mr Uche Obinna, said the strike would have been averted if the state government had negotiated with the union.
“The issue of strike in the country is getting too much and governments need to understand that it is their responsibility to make sure they were averted.
“Doctors go on strike every year. It is not supposed to be like that because health and lives of human beings are involved.''
Obinna appealed to both parties to resolve issues by returning to the negotiation table for the sake of those in need of medical attention.
Another patient, Mrs Olabisi Adenuga, expressed sadness, saying that she could not afford the bills of private hospitals and that the general hospitals were her only hope.
“It is very expensive to go to private hospitals and LUTH is usually filled with patients.
“I am used to the services at the Surulere General Hospital, and now this strike is making it difficult for me to get the treatment I need.''
Adenuga appealed to the doctors to resume duty so that the patients could be attended to.
A Banker, Mrs Sholanke Badmus, expressed fear of a prolonged strike saying that it would be devastating if the doctors were out of hospitals.
“What will happen to the sick ones in those hospitals, Most of them cannot afford to pay heavily at the private hospitals.
“Moreover, it will be very inconveniencing for them to start moving to Federal hospitals in the state.
Badmus urged Nigerians to protest against incessant strikes in the country and called on the government to resolve the issues involved.
A trader, Miss Temitope George, said:’ I had hoped to see a doctor today, but I am so disappointed to hear that doctors are on strike.
A Printer, Mr Philip Tarimiye, said the masses would be the end receivers of the current crises and that the health of the people was at stake.
He urged Nigerians to come out en mass to make an appeal to the government and the doctors.
“I hope there will not be outbreaks of diseases and rapid deaths because of the strike which could be averted.
“It is time for the Lagos State government to start listening to the citizens because we voted it into the position it is in. “
Tarimiye appealed to the doctors to call off the strike for the sake of their patients and make efforts to resolve the issue with the state government. (NAN)