The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has begun an indefinite strike to press for their demands.
The strike started at midnight on March 7, 2025, following a resolution made during their congress.
A memo titled “Notice of Industrial Action” was sent to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, outlining the reasons for the strike. Signed by ARD President, Dr. Stephen Adedokun, and General Secretary, Dr. Adedapo Mustapha, the memo detailed the dissatisfaction with unmet demands.
The doctors’ grievances include the non-payment of the minimum wage, which was implemented for other health workers in the state, a significant shortfall in February’s salary, deductions of insurance indemnity without the association’s approval, neglect of the repair of dilapidated call rooms, and a severe shortage of medical personnel across departments.
Other demands include the non-implementation of the accoutrement allowance, delayed payment of owed upgrade-arrears, and the non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
The doctors are demanding the immediate rectification of the shortfall in February’s salary, the payment of the new minimum wage along with arrears, repair of the call rooms, advertisements for employment of more resident doctors, payment of accoutrement allowance, and refunds for course and examination fees.
In an interview with our correspondent, Dr. Adedokun explained that despite multiple meetings with the Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the state’s commissioners of health and establishment, the issues remain unresolved.
He emphasized that after the minimum wage bill was signed in January and implemented for other health workers in February, the doctors were confronted with a pay cut instead of the expected raise.
“We are facing a shortage of manpower and burnout, which is exacerbated by the decrease in our salary,” Dr. Adedokun said.
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