Jun 22, 2026

Doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Plead with Governor Makinde for Urgent Pay and Training Funds

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Ogbomoso, Oyo State — In a fresh appeal that underscores persistent strains in Nigeria’s public healthcare system, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has urgently called on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to facilitate the immediate release of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and clear outstanding minimum wage arrears for doctors and other health workers.

The plea, shared widely on Monday, June 22, 2026, comes amid broader concerns about workforce morale, service delivery, and the risk of renewed industrial action in a facility that serves thousands of patients across Oyo State and beyond.

In their statement, the ARD highlighted two pressing issues: the non-disbursement of the MRTF, which supports specialist training, research, and professional development for resident doctors, and unpaid minimum wage arrears.

These shortfalls, they argue, add financial and emotional pressure to an already overburdened workforce responsible for life-saving care.

Resident doctors play a critical role in teaching hospitals like LAUTECH, handling complex cases while undergoing advanced training.

Delays in funding and salaries not only affect their well-being and family responsibilities but can also contribute to brain drain, as skilled medical professionals seek better opportunities elsewhere in Nigeria or abroad.

This is not the first time LAUTECH doctors have raised these concerns. Historical records show repeated appeals dating back to 2022 and earlier strikes in 2025, where similar issues around wages, subventions, and training funds led to industrial actions that disrupted services.

Governor Makinde’s administration has previously engaged with the hospital’s staff.

In late 2025, he visited amid strikes, approved payments, promised a 13th-month salary, and committed to infrastructure improvements, including a Governing Council and enhanced subventions.

Some arrears were addressed, but the latest appeal indicates that full resolution remains elusive, particularly for the MRTF and ongoing wage implementation disparities.

Oyo State, like many others in Nigeria, grapples with competing fiscal priorities—infrastructure, education, security, and debt obligations—while trying to meet rising civil service expectations following national minimum wage adjustments.

For patients in Ogbomoso and surrounding communities, any escalation could mean longer wait times, reduced specialist care, or outright service gaps in a region already facing healthcare access challenges.

Resident doctors and nurses often work extended hours under resource constraints; unpaid entitlements exacerbate burnout and staffing shortages.

One doctor’s perspective, echoed in public commentary, reflects a common sentiment: “These are frontline workers carrying heavy workloads under pressure. Timely settlement supports both staff welfare and patient survival.”

Politically, the timing is notable. With future elections in view, some observers see the appeal as a test of the governor’s responsiveness, while others view it as a routine administrative matter requiring swift bureaucratic action.

The ARD’s appeal urges proactive intervention to prevent avoidable crises. Stakeholders, including the hospital management, state health ministry, and labor groups, will likely monitor the governor’s response closely.

As Nigeria continues to navigate economic pressures and healthcare reforms, cases like this at LAUTECH highlight the delicate balance between fiscal prudence and investing in the human capital that sustains public services.

Timely resolution could bolster confidence in Oyo’s health sector and serve as a model for other states facing similar residency training and wage issues.

Governor Makinde’s office has not yet issued a public statement on this specific appeal as of the latest reports, but past engagements suggest dialogue remains open.

For the doctors, patients, and residents of Oyo, the hope is that words translate quickly into action—ensuring those who heal others are not left waiting.