Resident doctors raise the alarm over manpower shortage at LAUTECH

Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have issued an alert regarding worsening manpower shortages. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has voiced its solidarity with the Association of Resident Doctors at LAUTECH, calling for urgent government intervention.

NARD stated that several resident doctors have left the institution in recent months without being replaced. Furthermore, doctors who have completed their residency training have also not been succeeded. The situation is particularly critical in specialties such as Anaesthesia, Chemical Pathology, and Haematology, which are reportedly operating without any resident doctors. This deficit significantly impacts specialist training, healthcare delivery, and overall patient care.

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Patience must not be mistaken for acceptance of prolonged neglect.

Beyond staffing issues, NARD also highlighted concerns over outstanding financial and welfare entitlements for its members. These include unpaid minimum wage arrears, promotion and accoutrement allowance arrears, the implementation of a new professional allowance for doctors, and the release of the Medical Residency Training Fund. The association also called for improved call rooms, on-call facilities, and the enforcement of appropriate work-hour regulations to prevent excessive duty schedules and burnout.

NARD commended the patience of LAUTECH resident doctors, who suspended an earlier industrial action in June following an eight-week grace period for the authorities to address their concerns. However, the association warned that this continued patience should not be mistaken for acceptance of the prolonged neglect. NARD emphasized that resolving these demands is crucial for the well-being of doctors and the sustainability and quality of healthcare services provided to the communities served by the hospital.

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These demands are legitimate welfare and workplace concerns, and their timely resolution is essential not only for the well-being of doctors but also for the sustainability and quality of healthcare delivery.