LAUTECH HOSPITAL CRISIS: NARD THREATENS NATIONWIDE INDUSTRIAL ACTION
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has thrown its weight behind resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, who are currently on strike over unresolved welfare and remuneration issues.
The national body disclosed this on Friday as the industrial action by members of the Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Ogbomoso, entered its seventh day.
NARD warned that the prolonged dispute could escalate into regional and nationwide industrial action if the outstanding demands of the doctors were not addressed, stressing that such an escalation could be avoided through the implementation of previously agreed resolutions.
The warning came days after resident doctors at the hospital staged a protest over manpower shortages, unpaid minimum wage arrears, outstanding professional allowances and deteriorating working conditions.
In a solidarity statement signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and made available to journalists on Friday, the association said the grievances had remained unresolved since last year despite several engagements with the relevant authorities.
According to NARD, the doctors had about three months earlier issued the Oyo State Government a two-week ultimatum to implement their demands. The failure to meet the demands led to a five-day warning strike.
The association said the warning strike was later suspended following appeals from the hospital management and its governing board. The doctors subsequently issued another eight-week ultimatum for the government to resolve the outstanding issues.
NARD said the latest ultimatum expired eight days ago without any meaningful resolution, prompting the doctors to commence the ongoing industrial action.
The demands include the payment of Medical Residency Training Funds, settlement of state minimum wage arrears dating back to the implementation of the new wage in January 2025, implementation of the revised Professional Allowances Table, enforcement of the new policy regulating excess workload and working hours, as well as payment of upgrade arrears owed to affected doctors.
Suleiman explained that the first four demands fell within the responsibility of the Oyo State Government, while the payment of upgrade arrears was the responsibility of the hospital management.
He described the failure to address the demands as a leadership problem capable of undermining healthcare delivery across the state.
NARD also raised concerns about the conditions under which resident doctors at the hospital operate, citing severe manpower shortages, outstanding wage arrears, unpaid allowances and dilapidated call rooms.
The association maintained that the doctors were not demanding privileges but basic welfare provisions necessary to enable them deliver effective healthcare services to residents of Oyo State.
NARD therefore appealed to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to intervene personally and ensure that the outstanding issues were resolved.
The association warned that failure to address the grievances could result in the dispute spreading beyond the hospital and triggering regional and national industrial action.
It, however, stressed that such an escalation remained avoidable if the government implemented the agreements already reached with the doctors.
NARD reaffirmed its solidarity with the striking doctors, insisting that the welfare of resident doctors must be treated as an essential component of ensuring quality healthcare delivery.
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