Resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have begun an indefinite strike over unmet demands from the hospital management and the Oyo State Government. The strike, which started on Tuesday, July 29, followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum earlier issued by the Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin. The doctors had previously suspended a one-month strike on April 8 in the hope that the time would be used to address their concerns.
In a letter dated July 8 and titled “Re: Notice of Industrial Action,” the association acknowledged partial progress, including the payment of upgrade arrears and reimbursement of fees for examinations and update courses. However, it pointed to continued inaction on key issues such as the implementation of the new minimum wage with arrears from January 2025, the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of accoutrement allowance, recruitment of more resident doctors, and renovation of on-call rooms.
The association had warned that failure to address these demands by July 29 would result in an indefinite strike. On July 28, a follow-up letter signed by NARD President Dr. Stephen Adedokun and General Secretary Dr. Adedapo Mustapha confirmed the start of the strike from 12:00 a.m. on July 29. The letter stated that the decision followed “extensive internal consultations” and was taken as a last resort after exhausting all peaceful means of engagement.
“This decision comes after an ample window of engagement granted over the past three months and three weeks. The lack of meaningful response and commitment from the management leaves us with no viable alternative but to activate this action in defence of the welfare and professional dignity of our members,” the letter read.
Speaking with the press over the weekend, Dr. Adedokun confirmed that the decision to resume the strike was due to the government’s failure to honour agreements made during the earlier suspension. He added that the situation had deteriorated, with staff morale at a low point and remaining workers overstretched due to the departure of many healthcare professionals.
The association had earlier warned in a July 4 open letter to Governor Seyi Makinde of the looming collapse of the hospital. The letter stated that the number of resident doctors had fallen from nearly 270 to fewer than 65, blaming poor pay, lack of incentives, and inadequate government support. The doctors have vowed to stay off duty until their demands are met with concrete and satisfactory action.
Source; https://newspeakonline.com/
