The Medical Guild, Lagos, has called for urgent reforms to address the persistent no-bed crisis and breakdown of referral systems in hospitals across the state.
The chairman of the guild, Dr Maruf Abdul-Salam, made the call at a media briefing organised by the association to herald its Annual General Meeting, AGM, and Scientific Conference held at its secretariat in Gbagada.
He said the theme of the conference, “The No-Bed Conundrum and Safe Referral: Exploring an Integrated and Effective Referral System in Lagos State,” was chosen to spotlight systemic challenges that compromise patient safety and delay life-saving care.
He said the conference was aimed at shaping policy direction and reposition healthcare delivery in Lagos.
“The no-bed syndrome has become an elephant in the room, it affects the quality and safety of healthcare in Lagos State.
“A referral system can only work when each facility understands its limits, communicates effectively, and has the means to transfer patients safely.
“We expect the outcomes of the scientific session to inform future government policies on emergency referrals, patient flow and coordination,” he said.
Abdul-Salam noted that leading experts had been assembled to speak at the week-long scientific conference, with robust discussions that would address the weaknesses of Lagos’ referral infrastructure.
He also highlighted several pending issues with the state government which included the abandoned Doctors’ Quarters at General Hospital, Odan, and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and draconian bonding policy.
Others are demotion of consultants through incorrect step placement for consultants, leading to reduced income and low morale, non-payment of teaching allowances, non-remittance of pension & NHF deductions
He added that doctors on Grade Level 12 had yet to receive their entitled teaching allowances under CONMESS, lack of comprehensive health insurance for doctors and others would be critically looked into.
“We are displeased over the non-completion of the quarters at Odan, two years after the elevator crash that claimed the life of Dr Vwaere Diaso.
“It is painful that two years after the tragic loss of our colleague, the renovation remains abandoned and the contractor has left the site for over six months due to lack of funds.
“The unfinished LASUTH residents’ quarters in Ikeja is also affecting workforce availability and service delivery.
“These issues will be tabled at our general meeting on Thursday for members to take firm decisions,” he added.
The chairman who will hand over the baton of leadership to a new executive during a valedictory outing as the association approaches its centenary celebration in 2026 also highlighted several milestones recorded under his leadership.
He called the prompt payment of revised CONMESS and arrears, registration of the Guild with the Corporate Affairs Commission, completion of processes leading to the Guild’s Certificate of Occupancy and facilitation of housing allocations and mortgage-enabled private schemes.
Abdul-Salam added that the association also disbursed o₦29.5 million from the Guild Health Fund to members with serious health challenges and introduction of master classes for clinical professional development.
The chairman restated the Guild’s support for the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, urging the federal government to address the 19-point demands to prevent further disruption of specialist training and hospital services.
As it moves closer to its 100th anniversary, the chairman commended members for their resilience.
He, however, appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene in completing the abandoned housing projects and resolving all pending labour issues.
He explained that the guild’s relationship with the Lagos State government was a collaborative one rooted in mutual respect in spite all the challenges
The guild was founded in 1926, and is the umbrella body of all medical and dental doctors employed by the Lagos State Government.
Source: NAN
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