By Damilola Samuel
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Oyo State Government to urgently address welfare and manpower challenges affecting resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
The association made the appeal as the August 28 deadline for the ultimatum issued by the hospital’s Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) approaches.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, NARD said several issues raised by the doctors remained unresolved despite the suspension of an earlier industrial action on June 27 and an eight-week period given to the authorities to address their concerns.
NARD expressed concern over the shortage of resident doctors at the hospital, saying several doctors had left in recent months without replacement, while doctors who completed their residency training had also not been replaced.
According to the association, some key specialties, including Anaesthesia, Chemical Pathology and Haematology, currently have no resident doctors, a situation it said could affect specialist training and patient care.
The association also listed outstanding minimum wage arrears, promotion and accoutrement allowance arrears, implementation of the new professional allowance and release of the Medical Residency Training Fund among the issues requiring urgent attention.
Other demands include the renovation of call rooms and on-call facilities, as well as enforcement of work-hour regulations to reduce excessive duty schedules and burnout among doctors.
NARD commended the LAUTECH resident doctors for remaining patient and continuing to provide healthcare services despite the challenges.
However, it warned that their patience should not be taken for granted.
“Patience must not be mistaken for acceptance of prolonged neglect,” the association said.
NARD urged the Oyo State Government and hospital management to engage the doctors in what it described as “good-faith, high-level negotiations” before the ultimatum expires.
The association warned that failure to resolve the issues could lead to another escalation of the dispute and disrupt specialist healthcare services for residents of Ogbomoso, Oyo, Iseyin and neighbouring communities.
It stressed that improving doctors’ welfare, staffing, training and working conditions was directly linked to patient safety and the quality of healthcare delivery.
“A functional health system cannot be sustained on the continued sacrifice of an overworked and demoralised workforce,” NARD said.
The association expressed hope that the state government would respond to the demands and prevent further disruption of healthcare services at the teaching hospital.
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