DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

LAUTECH resident doctors threaten strike over unmet demands

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, threaten to resume strike on August 28 if demands are unmet.
  • Key issues include the release of the Medical Residency Training Fund, implementation of a new allowance table, and payment of minimum wage arrears.
  • Doctors cite severe manpower shortages and overworked staff, warning of implications for patient care and safety.

Resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso are threatening to resume their industrial action on August 28, citing unaddressed welfare demands from the Oyo State Government and hospital management.

These demands are neither outrageous nor unreasonable.

— Association of Resident DoctorsThe doctors defended their welfare demands, noting they are standard in other healthcare institutions.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) had suspended its previous strike on June 27, granting an eight-week window for authorities to resolve their concerns. The doctors stated this suspension was made in good faith to foster industrial harmony and prevent healthcare disruptions.

The Hospital is experiencing gross manpower shortages, while the inability to attract and retain resident doctors is further worsened by the prevailing welfare conditions.

— Association of Resident DoctorsThe association highlighted the critical shortage of medical staff at the hospital.

However, as the deadline approaches, critical issues remain unresolved. These include the full implementation and release of the Medical Residency Training Fund, adoption of the new Professional Allowance table, payment of minimum wage arrears, and the urgent recruitment of medical personnel. The ARD emphasized that these demands are reasonable and have been met in other institutions for years.

This is not merely a matter of doctors’ personal comfort. The welfare of healthcare workers is intrinsically linked to patient safety, quality of care and the sustainability of healthcare services.

— Association of Resident DoctorsThe doctors stressed the connection between their welfare and the quality of patient care.

Adding to the strain, the hospital faces severe manpower shortages, leaving existing doctors overworked and overstretched. The association warned that this crisis not only affects the doctors' well-being but also poses risks to patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare services. They appealed to the Oyo State Governor for urgent intervention to resolve the situation and safeguard the future of the hospital.

We particularly appeal to the governor to safeguard the future of LTH Ogbomoso and salvage the increasingly critical situation within the institution by ensuring the prompt resolution of these outstanding welfare concerns.

— Association of Resident DoctorsThe association directly appealed to the Oyo State Governor for intervention.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog