Patients were left stranded at the Gbagada General Hospital Lagos yesterday as health workers began a three-day warning strike over nonpayment of the revised Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

At the general out-patient department (GOPD), laboratory unit and others, those on first appointments were turned back as there were no officials to attend to them.

New Telegraph saw some of the union officials going from office to office to ensure compliance with the strike.

A middle-aged woman from Ajah, who was accompanied her mother to the hospital for an appointment, expressed disappointment with the development.

At the Paediatric Centre, women with their babies were seen lamenting. One of them, who identified herself simply as Omowunmi, said: “I came for a follow-up appointment with my daughter, I do not know when we will be able to see the doctor again.”

At the Records Office, patients were turned back and asked to come back on Monday. All the cashiers in all payment points were absent as patients could not pay.

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) Chairman Adelaja Gbadamosi confirmed the development. He said the Lagos State Government had paid medical and dental practitioners, but had yet to implement the same for health workers.

According to him, even letters from the unions to the government were not acknowledge them. He said: “We were surprised to see the state government pay the doctors in October, but the government is not sincere.