NARD Backs LAUTECH Resident Doctors, Warns of Wider Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has 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.

 

NARD said Friday marked the seventh day of the industrial action by members of the Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Ogbomoso.

 

The national body warned that failure to resolve the doctors’ demands could trigger regional and national industrial action, describing such escalation as unnecessary and avoidable.

 

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.

 

In a solidarity message signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, the association said the issues leading to the strike had lingered since last year.

 

According to NARD, the doctors had about three months ago given the Oyo State Government a two-week notice to implement their demands before embarking on a five-day warning strike.

 

The warning strike was later suspended following appeals from the hospital management and its board, after which the doctors issued another eight-week ultimatum to the government. NARD said the ultimatum elapsed eight days ago without the demands being addressed.

 

The demands include payment of Medical Residency Training Funds, payment of state minimum wage arrears implemented in January 2025, implementation of the corrected Professional Allowances Table, implementation of the new policy on excess workload and work-hour regulation, and payment of upgrade arrears to affected members.

 

NARD said the first four demands were directly under the purview of the Oyo State Government, while the hospital management was responsible for the payment of upgrade arrears.

 

The association also raised concerns over severe understaffing, unpaid arrears, unfulfilled allowance promises and dilapidated call rooms at the hospital.

 

“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,” NARD said.

 

It described the demands as basic requirements necessary to improve healthcare delivery and ensure decent working conditions for medical personnel.

 

NARD appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to intervene and resolve the dispute, warning that failure to do so could lead to regional and national action.

 

The association maintained that the escalation could be avoided by implementing the outstanding agreements reached with the resident doctors.