LAUTECH Resident Doctors Strike Hits Day 32 as Oyo Faces Growing Pressure

(LAUTECH. Photo Credit: LAUTECH Teaching Hospital)

Resident doctors at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have reached the 32nd day of their strike over welfare issues.

Their demands are the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, payment of the outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and settlement of six months of Minimum Wage arrears.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by association President Dr Mustapha Adedapo A. and Secretary Dr John Stephen, the doctors said the strike is a return to an earlier warning strike after an eight-week ultimatum ran out.

They admitted the government has taken some steps, including work on the legal framework for the Medical Residency Training Act and part payment of the training fund.

They said they hope the rest will be paid soon.

They also pointed out that Oyo, which calls itself the Pace Setter State, is the only state in the South-West yet to implement the Professional Allowance Table.

The doctors warned that losing skilled staff threatens residency training and the specialised care the hospital offers in orthopaedics, urology, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology.

It also serves as a referral centre for patients from within and outside the state.

They asked the state government to offer welfare packages that match those in neighbouring states and to live up to its Pace Setter name by setting standards for others.

The association said it is hopeful the governor will step in and that it remains open to talks with the government and other stakeholders.

The strike followed an earlier five-day warning strike that was suspended after appeals from the hospital management and board.

The doctors then gave an eight-week ultimatum.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has backed the LAUTECH doctors and warned that failure to fix the issues could lead to regional and national strikes.