Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to urgently disburse the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and settle outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to health workers in the state.

The appeal was contained in an open letter dated Monday and signed by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr. Mustapha Adedapo, and the General Secretary, Dr. John Stephen.

While commending the state government’s investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery, the doctors said unresolved welfare issues continue to affect morale and manpower in the hospital.

They expressed concern that Oyo State remains the only state in the South-West yet to implement the MRTF since the passage of the Medical Residency Training Act (2017).

According to the association, the delay has placed financial strain on resident doctors and contributed to the loss of specialists in critical departments.

“Eligible resident doctors in our institution have been excluded, resulting in financial strain, attrition of doctors to other facilities, and critical manpower shortages,” the letter stated.

The doctors also lamented the non-payment of minimum wage arrears, warning that inflation and rising living costs have further worsened the situation for health workers.

“Like other workers, resident doctors are grappling with inflation, rising transportation costs, and increasing household expenses,” they said.

The association warned that continued delays could worsen brain drain and weaken healthcare delivery in the state.

It urged the government to prioritise payment of the MRTF, clear outstanding arrears, and sustain engagement with medical professionals to improve working conditions and service delivery.

The doctors reaffirmed their commitment to healthcare delivery in Oyo State, expressing hope that the government would address their concerns promptly.