Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have commenced an indefinite strike, citing the persistent failure of both the hospital management and the Oyo State Government to meet their long-standing demands.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The doctors, under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), had previously suspended a month-long strike on April 8 to allow room for dialogue and give the authorities time to resolve the issues at hand. However, after three months of what they described as minimal progress, the doctors issued a three-week ultimatum on July 8, warning of a potential industrial action should their outstanding demands remain unaddressed.

The letter, titled “Re: Notice of Industrial Action” and addressed to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, outlined several unresolved grievances. While acknowledging partial efforts by the management, such as payment of upgrade arrears and refund of examination/update course fees, the doctors expressed disappointment over the continued neglect of critical demands.

Key among the unresolved issues are:

• Implementation of the new minimum wage with arrears dating back to January 2025

• Disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund

• Payment of accoutrement allowance

• Recruitment of resident doctors across departments

• Renovation of call rooms and staff welfare infrastructure

The July 8 letter stated:

“Congress resolved to grant a three-week grace period to allow for formal communication with stakeholders, including the Oyo State Government and hospital management, in a bid to encourage timely intervention. Failure to meet our demands by July 29, 2025, will result in the commencement of indefinite strike action.”

Following the expiration of the grace period, the association, on July 28, issued a follow-up notice—signed by its President, Dr. Stephen Adedokun, and General Secretary, Dr. Adedapo Mustapha—confirming the strike would commence at 12:00 a.m. on July 29.

The letter, titled “Notice of Indefinite Industrial Action Effective 12:00am, 29th July 2025”, read in part:

“Despite ample time for engagement spanning three months and three weeks, and exhausting all peaceful avenues for resolution, we are left with no choice but to declare a total and indefinite strike.

This action is taken in defence of the welfare and professional dignity of our members. We urge the hospital management to act swiftly and sincerely to prevent prolonged disruption of healthcare services. We remain open to dialogue but will not resume duty until our demands are meaningfully addressed.”

The doctors lamented a worsening pay disparity between them and their counterparts in other Oyo State health institutions where the minimum wage has been implemented. According to them, the disparity has led to resignations, staffing shortages, and increased workload on remaining personnel.

As of now, the hospital management and the state government are yet to issue a formal response.