Nigerian doctors down tools over taxes

The doctors, under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), commenced the indefinite strike over the implementation of a new tax law which they described as exorbitant and lacking uniform application.

The doctors alleged that the Management of LUTH had been deducting huge amounts from their monthly salaries as tax.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) found that the Outpatient Ward was desolate because the doctors were no longer attending to them.

Some patients on admission were seen leaving the hospital premises.

Mr. Ayoola Ogunrombi, the husband of a patient on admission, said he had to get a referral letter to another hospital because the doctors had stopped attending to his wife.

An executive officer of the ARD, who sought anonymity, said the strike was meant to compel the management of the institution to revert to the old tax system.

“All is not well with LUTH; we feel cheated with the tax deduction imposed on us.

“We do not understand how our income tax is higher and differs greatly from that of our colleagues in similar institutions.

“The management has over-applied the Federal Government’s new tax law, without bothering to consult with us, ’’ the ARD official told NAN.

The striking doctors had on December 4 embarked on a three-day warning strike to seek a review of the tax by the LUTH management.

Professsor Akin Osibogun, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, had confirmed that the tax deduction was as a result of the new income tax law.

LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Osibogun told reporters last week during the three-day

“Tax is an annual payment and the institution must complete payment before the end of the year to avoid penalty.”

He said that the tax deductions were usually made in January and if not deducted in full, it would be deducted in full before the end of December.