Doctors Demand Professional Allowance, Residency Fund, Six Months’ Minimum Wage Arrears
Resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have entered the 32nd day of their industrial action over outstanding welfare-related demands.
The Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, said its demands include 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 signed by its President, Dr Mustapha Adedapo A., and Secretary, Dr John Stephen, the association said the strike followed the expiration of an eight-week ultimatum issued to address the doctors’ concerns.
The doctors acknowledged steps taken by the authorities, including efforts to establish a legal framework for the Medical Residency Training Act and part payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, they said the Professional Allowance Table remained unresolved, claiming that Oyo State was the only South-West state yet to implement it.
The association warned that the continued loss of skilled medical personnel could affect residency training and specialised healthcare services at the teaching hospital.
It called for full implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, payment of the outstanding residency training fund and settlement of the six-month minimum wage arrears.
The doctors also urged the Oyo State Government to introduce competitive welfare packages to retain existing personnel and attract specialist manpower.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has expressed solidarity with the LAUTECH doctors, warning that failure to resolve the issues could trigger regional and national industrial action.
The resident doctors said they remained committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with the government towards resolving the dispute.