OOUTH services disrupted as resident doctors begin 10-day warning strike

Healthcare services at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, have been disrupted following the commencement of a 10-day warning strike by resident doctors over unresolved welfare and remuneration issues.

 

The industrial action was declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), OOUTH, after its second-quarter Ordinary General Meeting held on Monday.

 

In a communiqué signed by the association’s President, Dr. John Omotoso, the doctors accused the Ogun State Government of failing to implement and pay the revised Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance, including outstanding arrears.

 

According to the association, despite the expiration of a previously issued 14-day ultimatum, no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed and no concrete commitment has been made regarding payment of the allowances.

 

The doctors listed several issues behind the strike, including:

 

Non-payment of revised Professional and Specialist Allowances and their arrears.

 

Delay in the payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.

 

Severe manpower shortages leading to excessive workload and burnout.

 

Recurrent security breaches, theft and burglary within the hospital premises.

 

Poor condition of call rooms and accommodation facilities.

 

Inadequate quality and quantity of meals provided to resident doctors on duty.

 

The association is demanding:

 

Immediate payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.

 

Inclusion of the revised allowances in the July 2026 salary.

 

Improvement of hospital security through enhanced lighting, perimeter fencing and other protective measures.

 

Renovation of doctors’ call rooms and accommodation facilities.

 

Better welfare provisions, including improved call meals.

 

The association also announced that any member who violates the strike directive would be fined ₦50,000.

 

It stated that an emergency congress would be convened at the end of the 10-day warning strike to assess the government’s response and determine the next course of action.

 

The strike is expected to affect clinical services at the state-owned tertiary health institution while negotiations continue between the doctors and the Ogun State Government.