The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors on Friday expressed solidarity with resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, who are currently on strike over outstanding welfare and remuneration issues.
The NARD leadership said Friday marked the seventh day of the industrial action embarked upon by members of the Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Ogbomoso.
NARD warned that failure to resolve the issues could trigger further regional and national industrial action, saying the escalation was unnecessary and could be averted if the outstanding demands of the doctors were implemented.
The development follows a protest by the resident doctors on Wednesday over manpower shortages, unpaid minimum wage arrears, unfulfilled allowance commitments and poor working conditions.
PHOTOS: LAUTECH hospital resident doctors protest over unpaid arrears, understaffing
In a solidarity message signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and made available to our correspondent Friday, the national body said the issues leading to the strike had lingered since last year.
NARD said the doctors had, about three months ago, issued the Oyo State Government a two-week notice to implement their demands, after which they embarked on a five-day warning strike.
According to the association, the warning strike was suspended following appeals from the hospital management and its board, while the doctors subsequently issued another eight-week ultimatum to the government to resolve the issues.
“Yet again, the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors is forced to resort to the painful choice of an industrial action to press home legitimate demands of its members. This time, members under the Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
“Today is day seven of the industrial action embarked upon by our colleagues in LAUTECH Ogbomoso. The issues under dispute did not start today, it has been lingering since last year. Three months ago, ARD LAUTECH Ogbomoso gave the Oyo state Government two weeks notice within which tangible implementation of legitimate demands were not met.
“The association embarked on a five-day warning strike and suspended after appeals from the Hospital management and its Board. Another eight weeks ultimatum was given to settle these demands which elapsed eight days ago and yet, nothing to show for it,” the message read partly.
The demands, according to NARD, include payment of the Medical Residency Training Funds, payment of the State Minimum wage arrears as implemented in January 2025, implementation of the corrected Professional Allowances Table, implementation of the new policy on excess workload/work hour regulation, and payment of upgrade arrears to members affected.
Suleiman noted that the first four demands were directly under the purview of the Oyo State Government, while the payment of upgrade arrears was the responsibility of the hospital management.
He described the failure to implement the demands as a leadership failure with implications for healthcare delivery in the state.
NARD also reiterated concerns over the working conditions of resident doctors at the hospital, including severe understaffing, unpaid arrears, unfulfilled allowance promises and dilapidated call rooms.
“For too long, Resident Doctors in LAUTECH Ogbomoso have operated under crippling conditions. They face severe understaffing, unpaid minimum wage arrears, unfulfilled allowance promises, and dilapidated call rooms. A burnt-out, neglected doctor cannot provide the quality care the people of Oyo State deserve.
“These are not luxuries being demanded, these are fair, basic and proper steps at not just improving healthcare service delivery but also ensuring basic human decency of those providing these services,” the association noted.
NARD appealed directly to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to intervene and resolve the issues, warning that failure to do so could lead to regional and national escalation of the dispute.
It said such escalation was unnecessary and could be avoided by implementing the outstanding agreements.
“NARD stands in total solidarity and NARD is directly calling on the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde to intervene in order that further Regional and National actions are not taken on this matter.
“This regional and national escalation is needless and can be averted by simply implementing already agreed upon outstanding issues on the table. An Injury to one is an injury to all. The struggle has begun. The fight continues. United we stand, together we win,” NARD added.
