Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have entered the 32nd day of their industrial action over welfare-related issues.
The Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, said its demands included the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, payment of outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and settlement of six months of Minimum Wage arrears.
In a statement jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr Mustapha Adedapo A., and Secretary, Dr John Stephen, on Tuesday, the doctors said the industrial action followed the expiration of an eight-week ultimatum.
“The ongoing industrial action represents the resumption of an earlier suspended warning strike, following the expiration of an eight-week ultimatum issued to address the longstanding welfare crisis confronting resident doctors in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso,” the association said.
The doctors also acknowledged steps taken towards addressing some of their concerns, including efforts to establish the legal framework for the Medical Residency Training Act and the part payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
“We recognise these steps as important developments and remain hopeful that the outstanding components will be addressed expeditiously,” the association said.
The association said the Professional Allowance Table remained one of the issues requiring attention, adding that welfare conditions could influence the retention and movement of medical personnel.
“Oyo State, despite its long-standing reputation as the Pace Setter State, remains the only state in the South-West yet to implement the Professional Allowance Table,” the doctors stated.
The association said LAUTECH Teaching Hospital provides specialised services in orthopaedics, urology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, while serving as a referral centre for patients within and outside the state.
It said maintaining adequate skilled manpower was important to the hospital’s provision of specialised healthcare and residency training.
“The continued loss of skilled manpower poses a significant threat to the sustainability of residency training and the ability of the hospital to provide the specialised healthcare services for which it was established,” the association said.
The doctors called for the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, full payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund and settlement of the outstanding six-month Minimum Wage arrears.
The association said addressing the issues would support the retention of resident doctors and help create an environment capable of attracting specialist manpower.
“We therefore call on the Oyo State Government to take decisive steps to salvage this fortress of hope for thousands of citizens from further deterioration and loss of skilled manpower by implementing welfare packages that are competitive with what is obtainable in neighbouring states,” the doctors said.
Credit: Punchng
