LAUTECH doctors urge Makinde to disburse training fund, pay arrears

The Association of Resident Doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso has made a formal request to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urging him to expedite the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund and to address the outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to resident doctors and other healthcare professionals in the state.

In an open letter sent on Monday, which was signed by the ARD President, Dr. Mustapha Adedapo, and the General Secretary, Dr. John Stephen, the doctors acknowledged the administration's initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and infrastructure throughout the state, while also voicing their concerns regarding welfare issues impacting resident doctors.

The association recognized the government's financial commitments to healthcare and included prayers for the safe return of schoolchildren who have been abducted in the state.

"We commend your administration’s efforts in fortifying healthcare delivery across Oyo State. Your investments in infrastructure, enhanced access to medical services, and dedication to the welfare of citizens have established Oyo State as a benchmark for progressive governance," the letter articulated.

Nevertheless, the doctors pointed out that resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital continue to encounter difficulties that compromise both their welfare and the quality of healthcare services provided.

They raised concerns regarding the delay in the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, which they characterized as an essential support system created under the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 to alleviate the financial pressures associated with postgraduate medical education.

The association highlighted that Oyo State is the only state in Southwestern Nigeria that has yet to distribute the fund to qualified resident doctors since the enactment of the law.

“Eligible resident doctors in our institution have been excluded, resulting in financial strain, attrition of doctors to other facilities, and critical manpower shortages in departments such as Anaesthesia and Chemical Pathology, whose resident doctors have all departed due to poor remuneration,” the association said.

The doctors stressed that timely disbursement of the fund would not only improve welfare but also strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.

“Timely disbursement of the MRTF is not merely a welfare issue; it is an investment in the future of healthcare in Oyo State,” the letter added.

The association also decried the non-payment of minimum wage arrears, saying the situation had negatively impacted morale among healthcare workers amid rising inflation and increasing living costs.

“Like other workers, resident doctors are grappling with inflation, rising transportation costs, and increasing household expenses. The shortfall in wage implementation has further weakened purchasing power and diminished motivation,” the letter stated.

The doctors warned that delays in addressing the issues could worsen the migration of skilled medical professionals and undermine the state’s healthcare goals.

“A well-supported healthcare workforce is indispensable to achieving your administration’s healthcare goals. Delays in addressing these obligations risk fuelling dissatisfaction, accelerating brain drain, and weakening the state’s ability to retain highly skilled medical professionals,” the letter said.

The association appealed to the governor to ensure the immediate disbursement of the MRTF, payment of outstanding wage arrears, and sustained engagement with healthcare professionals to foster a conducive working environment.

“Addressing these concerns promptly will not only improve staff welfare but also reinforce confidence in your administration’s dedication to equity, justice, and excellence,” the association stated.