The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared support for resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso. They warned that the current industrial dispute could lead to an indefinite strike if the Oyo State government does not address the doctors’ urgent welfare and payment issues.
In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, the association showed “profound concern” over the worsening situation. They urged the state government to act fast to avoid a total collapse of healthcare services at the hospital.
NARD said they reviewed the statement from an emergency meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, held on June 25. They noted that while the hospital’s management tried to tackle some issues, their efforts fell “significantly short” of resolving the main problems that started the industrial action.
As a result, the resident doctors have decided to continue their two-week warning strike. They added that if their demands are not met by the end of the warning strike, it will automatically turn into an indefinite strike.
NARD described the situation as “deeply unfortunate and entirely avoidable.” They stated that the unresolved issues relate to doctors’ welfare, payments, residency training, and working conditions, which all affect healthcare in Oyo State directly.
Their demands include the immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and the passage of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) into law. Other demands are for the new professional allowance to be implemented, payment of the outstanding 2025 accoutrement allowance, and settlement of minimum wage and upgrade arrears.
They also called for the recruitment of more resident doctors and medical officers through a national advertisement, along with urgent repairs of the doctors’ call rooms. NARD said these issues are key for staff welfare, keeping workers, residency training, and patient care, and should be resolved without delay.
“NARD is particularly worried that doctors in the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital continue to provide essential services despite severe staff shortages, increasing workloads, and tough working conditions, while many of their rightful payments are still pending.
“Such a situation cannot last and damages the efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Oyo State,” the association stated.
Despite the ongoing strike, NARD praised the resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital for pausing the strike for two days to care for abducted schoolchildren and their teachers after their release. The association said this showed patriotism, humanity, and professional responsibility.
They noted that this decision reflects the commitment of resident doctors to save lives while facing unresolved welfare issues. NARD urged the Oyo State government to quickly resolve all outstanding issues raised by the resident doctors.
They also encouraged the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to engage sincerely with the association and ensure agreements are fulfilled by the hospital management. NARD demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding entitlements, including the MRTF, professional allowance, accoutrement allowance, minimum wage arrears, and upgrade arrears.
They called for immediate recruitment of more resident doctors and medical officers through a clear national recruitment process to address the hospital’s serious manpower shortage. Additionally, NARD urged the hospital management to make the rehabilitation of doctors’ call rooms a priority to improve working conditions and patient care.
The association insisted that no resident doctor should face victimisation or intimidation for taking part in lawful union activities. They warned that any attempt to intimidate or wrongly punish their members would lead the association to use every legal means necessary to defend their rights and welfare.
While NARD reiterated its commitment to dialogue, they said discussions must now come with honesty and real implementation of agreements. “The time for promises has passed; what is now required is decisive action,” the association stated.
They warned that ignoring the doctors’ welfare issues would worsen industrial tension and further harm healthcare delivery in Oyo State. NARD said if the dispute is not resolved after the warning strike ends, they will stand firmly with the resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and consider all appropriate actions to protect their rights.
They stated that any escalation of the industrial dispute would be the responsibility of the management of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and the Oyo State government.
NARD reaffirmed its commitment to looking after doctors' welfare, maintaining the integrity of residency training, and ensuring quality healthcare for Nigerians.
This warning comes just one day after NARD threatened a nationwide solidarity strike over the ongoing action at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife (OAUTHC), where resident doctors began an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and working condition issues.
In a statement released on Thursday, NARD expressed support for the striking doctors at OAUTHC and warned they might mobilise resident doctors nationwide if the issues are not resolved. The association accused the hospital management of ignoring long-standing concerns affecting its members and called for federal government intervention.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇