Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have raised concerns over worsening manpower shortages at the institution, warning that the situation could negatively affect specialist training, healthcare delivery and patient care.
According to a report by PUNCH Online, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors expressed solidarity with the Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH, and called on the Oyo State Government to urgently address the manpower, welfare and working condition challenges facing doctors at the teaching hospital.
NARD said several resident doctors had reportedly left the institution in recent months without replacement, while doctors who completed their residency training were also not replaced.
The association said the shortage was particularly serious in critical specialties such as Anaesthesia, Chemical Pathology and Haematology, which it said were reportedly operating without resident doctors.
NARD warned that the manpower gap was already affecting specialist training and service delivery, with potential consequences for patients who depend on the teaching hospital for specialised medical care.
The association also raised concerns over outstanding financial and welfare entitlements owed to resident doctors. Among its demands are the payment of minimum wage arrears, promotion and accoutrement allowance arrears, implementation of the approved new professional allowance for doctors and the release of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
The doctors also called for the renovation and improvement of call rooms and other on call facilities, alongside the immediate implementation and enforcement of appropriate work hour regulations to reduce excessive duty schedules and prevent burnout among medical personnel.
NARD recalled that ARD LAUTECH suspended its earlier industrial action on June 27, 2026, following an eight week grace period granted to the authorities to address the concerns raised by the doctors.
The national association commended the leadership and members of ARD LAUTECH for their patience and restraint, noting that they had continued providing essential healthcare services to residents of Ogbomoso, Oyo, Iseyin and surrounding communities despite the challenges.
However, NARD cautioned that the continued patience of the doctors should not be interpreted as acceptance of prolonged neglect.
“Patience must not be mistaken for acceptance of prolonged neglect,” the association said.
NARD described the outstanding demands as legitimate welfare and workplace concerns, stressing that resolving them promptly would be crucial to protecting the welfare of doctors and maintaining quality healthcare services at the institution.
The association therefore urged the Oyo State Government to urgently engage the resident doctors and resolve the outstanding issues before the expiration of the ultimatum on August 28, 2026.
NARD warned that failure to address the manpower shortages and welfare concerns could further weaken specialist training and undermine healthcare delivery at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.
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