The three weeks old strike embarked upon by Resident Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, has been suspended, CEOAFRICA.com gathered.

The strike was embarked upon over non-payment of their backlog of salary.

According to the Dr. Emeka Ugwu, the President of the doctors’ association said the strike was suspended because of their concern for patients.

 “We decided to suspend the strike in the interest of our patients which we consider paramount.

“It is also in line with our desires to forestall further loss of lives of innocent and well-meaning Nigerians.

“We, as resident doctors, constitute a major workforce of the hospital, and if we continue this strike, work will not go on and we want to avoid further loss of lives,” he said.

The strike commenced on September 6, 2013 following non-payment of five months’ salary.

Dr. Ugwu recalled that the management of the hospital was given a week ultimatum to settle the outstanding salaries before the commencement of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information Service (IPPIS) in June.

According to him, some doctors are being owed March, April and May salaries before IPPIS.

“Most doctors could not be at their duty posts because they are financially incapacitated.’’

Prof. Akin Osibogun, LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, had told newsmen that the management was working with the Federal Government to clear the salary arrears.