The Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD) in Lagos State has issued a stark warning to the state government, stating that the ongoing industrial action by health workers is putting critical blood services and patient lives in grave danger.
Urgent Appeal for Government Intervention
In a strongly-worded statement released on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, the guild's leadership called for urgent intervention from the Lagos State Government. The appeal was jointly signed by the chapter's chairman, Adekoya Abimbola Julius, and its secretary general, Dr. Leo Aniakor.
The guild directed its plea to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging him to use the power of his office to bring all parties to the negotiating table. They emphasized that the strike, led by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), is now causing severe disruptions across the state's healthcare system.
Critical Blood Services and Patient Care Under Threat
The laboratory directors highlighted that the withdrawal of services at key screening centres has created a major bottleneck. This has severely constrained the essential laboratory testing required for two critical functions:
- Safe blood transfusion procedures.
- Effective management and treatment of patients.
"These disruptions are causing avoidable delays in diagnosis and treatment, thereby placing the health and lives of Lagos residents at serious risk," the guild's statement declared. They stressed that no resident should suffer preventable illness or death due to issues that can be resolved through dialogue.
A major concern raised is the potential erosion of progress in the state's blood services. The guild warned that the notable investments and advancements made by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee to ensure a safe and reliable blood supply are now in jeopardy due to the prolonged strike.
Unions Vow to Continue Indefinite Strike
This urgent appeal from medical professionals comes amid a firm resolve from the striking unions to continue their action indefinitely. JOHESU, alongside the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, has decided not to back down.
In an interview with journalists, the unions' National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, confirmed the strike would persist. He stated that despite two meetings with government representatives since the strike began on November 15, 2025, no tangible progress had been made.
"For now, we have resolved to continue the strike. We met with the government twice since the commencement of the strike, and nothing has changed," Egbanubi said.
The core grievance remains the government's failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) since it was agreed upon in 2022. Egbanubi accused successive administrations of neglecting salary disparities among health workers and stated that the unions have narrowed their demands specifically to the implementation of this adjusted salary structure.
JOHESU represents a coalition of unions including the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria and the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, making its strike action widespread across the health sector.
