Healthcare workers at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently address unpaid minimum wage arrears and release the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), warning that the issues are undermining morale and accelerating the migration of doctors from Oyo State.
The appeal was contained in an open letter issued on Monday by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, and signed by the association’s President, Dr. Mustapha Adedapo, and General Secretary, Dr. John Stephen.
While commending the Makinde administration for its investments in healthcare infrastructure, the association stressed that staff welfare requires immediate attention.
“We commend your administration’s efforts in strengthening healthcare delivery across Oyo State. Your investments in infrastructure, improved access to medical services, and commitment to citizens’ welfare have positioned Oyo State as a model of progressive governance,” the letter stated.
The doctors noted that the Medical Residency Training Fund, established under the 2017 Act to support postgraduate medical training, has yet to be disbursed in Oyo State, making it the only state in the South-West yet to implement the scheme.
“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.
According to the doctors, the issue goes beyond welfare payments.
“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 highlighted the impact of inflation and rising living costs on healthcare workers.
“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 continued delays in addressing the issues could worsen the brain drain affecting the health sector.
“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 reiterated its commitment to delivering quality patient care and expressed hope that prompt government intervention would restore confidence among healthcare professionals.
“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.
