NMA urges Makinde to resolve LAUTECH doctors’ welfare crisis

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to urgently resolve the lingering welfare crisis involving doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, to avert disruption of medical services.

In a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja, NMA National President, Dr. (Prof.) Afekhide Ernest Omoti, urged the governor to personally intervene and ensure the immediate implementation of outstanding agreements reached with the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.

The NMA said the outstanding demands include payment of State Minimum Wage arrears from January 2025, the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for eligible resident doctors, implementation of the Corrected Professional Allowances Table, the Call/Work-Hour Regulatory Policy and payment of upgrade arrears to affected doctors.

Prof. Omoti said the demands were legitimate welfare and workplace concerns which directly affect the quality and safety of healthcare delivery, warning that excessive workload, poor remuneration and an overstretched workforce could undermine clinical performance, patient safety and health outcomes.

He said, “A healthcare system cannot thrive when those entrusted with saving lives are themselves pushed beyond sustainable limits,” adding that implementing the outstanding commitments would help end the dispute while boosting the morale, motivation and productivity of resident doctors.

The NMA President said extensive advocacy had been employed since early this year, noting that the leadership and members of ARD LAUTECH Ogbomoso had shown remarkable professionalism and patience by exercising restraint for nearly three months.

 He, however, said formal advocacy without corresponding government action could not continue indefinitely.

Omoti reaffirmed the NMA’s solidarity with the resident doctors and commended the Oyo State NMA Branch for its professionalism

He stressed that agreements freely entered into must be honoured and legitimate commitments implemented promptly.

Omoti further assured that the NMA remained committed to constructive dialogue and partnership with the Oyo State Government, stressing that while the health of the people must remain paramount, “the welfare of the doctors entrusted with protecting that health must not be treated as an afterthought.”