LAUTECH RESIDENT DOCTORS’ STRIKE ENTERS 32ND DAY
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By:Aminat Tajudeen
Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have entered the 32nd day of their industrial action over unresolved welfare-related demands.
The Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, said its demands include the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, payment of outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and settlement of six months of Minimum Wage arrears.
In a statement jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr Mustapha Adedapo A., and Secretary, Dr John Stephen, on Tuesday, the doctors said the strike followed the expiration of an eight-week ultimatum issued to the Oyo State Government.
“The ongoing industrial action represents the resumption of an earlier suspended warning strike, following the expiration of an eight-week ultimatum issued to address the longstanding welfare crisis confronting resident doctors in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso,” the association said.
The doctors acknowledged some steps taken towards addressing their concerns, including efforts to establish the legal framework for the Medical Residency Training Act and partial payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
The association said it remained hopeful that the outstanding issues would be resolved quickly.
It identified the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table as one of the major unresolved demands, stressing that welfare conditions could affect the retention of medical professionals.
The doctors claimed that Oyo State was the only state in the South-West yet to implement the Professional Allowance Table.
According to the association, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital provides specialised medical services in areas including orthopaedics, urology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, while also serving as a referral centre for patients within and outside Oyo State.
It warned that the continued loss of skilled medical personnel could undermine residency training and the hospital’s ability to provide specialised healthcare services.
The resident doctors called on the Oyo State Government to implement the Professional Allowance Table, pay the outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and settle the six-month Minimum Wage arrears.
They said resolving the issues would improve staff retention and create conditions capable of attracting specialist medical personnel to the hospital.
“We therefore call on the Oyo State Government to take decisive steps to salvage this fortress of hope for thousands of citizens from further deterioration and loss of skilled manpower by implementing welfare packages that are competitive with what is obtainable in neighbouring states,” the association said.
The doctors also urged the government to leverage Oyo State’s “Pace Setter” reputation to improve standards in healthcare delivery and medical training.
Despite the ongoing strike, the association expressed optimism that dialogue with the government and other stakeholders could lead to a resolution.
The development followed an earlier five-day warning strike by the doctors, which was suspended after appeals from the hospital management and its board. The association subsequently issued an eight-week ultimatum over its outstanding demands.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has expressed solidarity with the LAUTECH doctors and warned that failure to resolve the issues could trigger wider regional or national industrial action.
NARD’s demands include payment of Medical Residency Training Funds, implementation of the corrected Professional Allowances Table, settlement of Minimum Wage arrears and other outstanding payments.
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