The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital has appealed to Seyi Makinde to facilitate the immediate disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and settle outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to resident doctors and other healthcare workers in Oyo State.
The appeal was contained in an open letter addressed to the governor and signed by the association’s President, Dr. Mustapha Adedapo, and General Secretary, Dr. John Stephen.
Doctors Commend Government’s Healthcare Investments
The resident doctors acknowledged the efforts of the Oyo State Government in improving healthcare delivery through investments in infrastructure and access to medical services across the state.
They also commended the administration’s commitment to citizens’ welfare and offered prayers for the safe return of abducted schoolchildren in the state.
According to the association, the government’s investments have contributed significantly to strengthening the healthcare system and positioning Oyo State as a model of progressive governance.
Concern Over Undisbursed Training Fund
Despite the progress recorded in the health sector, the doctors expressed concern over the continued non-disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
The association explained that the fund was established under the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 to support resident doctors undergoing postgraduate medical training.
They noted that Oyo State remains the only state in the South-West yet to disburse the fund to eligible resident doctors since the law came into effect.
According to the doctors, the delay has placed financial pressure on many medical professionals and contributed to the migration of doctors to other institutions offering better welfare packages.
Manpower Shortages Affecting Healthcare Services
The association warned that the non-disbursement of the training fund has worsened manpower shortages in critical departments within the hospital.
They specifically cited departments such as Anaesthesia and Chemical Pathology, where resident doctors have reportedly left due to poor remuneration and welfare conditions.
The doctors stressed that timely payment of the fund would not only improve staff welfare but also strengthen healthcare delivery and patient care across the state.
Call for Payment of Wage Arrears
The resident doctors also called on the government to settle outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to healthcare workers.
They stated that rising inflation, transportation costs, and increasing household expenses have placed additional financial burdens on workers, making the arrears issue more pressing.
According to the association, the delayed implementation of wage adjustments has reduced purchasing power and negatively affected staff morale.
Appeal for Urgent Government Action
The doctors urged Governor Makinde to take immediate steps to address the issues, warning that prolonged delays could accelerate the migration of skilled healthcare professionals and undermine efforts to improve healthcare services.
They reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality medical care to residents of Oyo State and expressed optimism that the government would respond positively to their concerns.
The association concluded that addressing the welfare challenges facing healthcare workers would reinforce confidence in the administration’s commitment to fairness, justice, and excellence in public service.