NARD Backs LAUTECH Resident Doctors’ Strike, Urges Oyo Government to Act Swiftly

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has publicly declared its support for the ongoing strike action by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The strike, which commenced on July 29, 2025, follows the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued to both the hospital’s management and the Oyo State Government.

According to a joint statement signed by Dr. Stephen Adedokun, president of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LAUTECH, and the association’s general secretary, Dr. Adedapo Mustapha, the strike will persist until the government takes “tangible and acceptable” steps to meet their lingering demands.

Despite partial responses to a few concerns—such as the payment of some arrears and reimbursements—the core issues raised by the doctors remain unresolved. At the center of their agitation are long-standing financial, infrastructural, and human resource challenges, which they argue are crippling the healthcare delivery system at the institution.

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Mounting Frustration Over Unmet Demands

The resident doctors are demanding immediate implementation of several measures that they say have been repeatedly promised by the authorities but never delivered. Chief among these is the full implementation of the new minimum wage with arrears dating back to January 2025, which the doctors insist must be honored to reflect national labor standards.

In addition, the association is calling for the timely release of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), a statutory entitlement aimed at supporting the professional development of medical residents across Nigeria. The fund has become a recurring issue in many tertiary hospitals, and LAUTECH’s doctors have voiced frustration over the continuous delay in accessing this critical resource.

Other pressing demands include the provision of accoutrement allowances—which cover medical attire and equipment—the urgent recruitment of additional resident doctors, and the renovation of severely dilapidated on-call rooms within the hospital.

“These issues are not new. We have engaged, dialogued, and exercised patience. Yet, the systemic neglect continues,” the LAUTECH ARD stated. “We are simply asking for what is due to us by law and professional standards.”

Alarming Decline in Medical Workforce

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the LAUTECH crisis is the steep drop in the number of resident doctors. According to the ARD, the hospital, which previously had a robust workforce of nearly 270 resident doctors, now operates with fewer than 65. This massive reduction is exerting unbearable pressure on the remaining medical personnel, many of whom are reportedly overstretched and at risk of burnout.

The doctors warn that the dwindling staff strength poses a serious threat to patient care and could potentially result in a total collapse of healthcare delivery at the facility. The shortage has also raised questions about the sustainability of postgraduate medical training at LAUTECH, given the lack of mentors and supervisors for junior trainees.

“We are deeply concerned that if these trends are not reversed immediately, the teaching hospital will lose its accreditation for residency training, and worse, patients’ lives will be endangered,” the statement added.

NARD Throws National Weight Behind Strike

The national leadership of NARD has responded swiftly, lending full support to the LAUTECH doctors. In a statement issued from its headquarters, NARD reaffirmed that the issues being faced in Ogbomoso are reflective of broader systemic failures in Nigeria’s health sector, especially at state-run tertiary hospitals.

According to NARD, these challenges—such as unpaid entitlements, poor infrastructure, and insufficient staffing—are not unique to LAUTECH but are indicative of a nationwide crisis in healthcare delivery and medical training.

The association called on the Oyo State Government and hospital authorities to avoid further escalation by immediately engaging in sincere dialogue and meeting the doctors’ legitimate demands.

“No health system can function effectively with demoralized staff and abandoned infrastructure. The resident doctors at LAUTECH are not asking for luxuries—they are demanding the bare minimum for quality healthcare,” NARD’s statement emphasized.

Government Yet to Respond

As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from the Oyo State Government or LAUTECH hospital management regarding the strike or the issues raised. Patients and members of the public, however, have expressed growing concern over the unavailability of critical medical services, with many turning to private hospitals despite higher costs.

Civil society groups and public health advocates have also begun urging the state government to act swiftly, warning that the breakdown of services at LAUTECH could spiral into a public health crisis if left unresolved.

With NARD now throwing its national support behind the strike, pressure is mounting on authorities in Oyo State to prioritize healthcare workers’ welfare and prevent further disruption of services at the institution.