The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LTH), Ogbomoso, has threatened to resume its suspended industrial action on August 28, 2026, if the Oyo State Government and hospital management fail to address its outstanding welfare demands.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Adedapo Mustapha, and General Secretary, John Stephen.
The resident doctors had suspended their industrial action on June 27 after granting the hospital management and relevant authorities an eight-week window to resolve their grievances.
The ARD said the suspension was made in good faith to preserve industrial harmony, support the development of the institution and prevent further disruption of healthcare services to residents of Oyo State.
However, the doctors said several key demands remained unresolved as the deadline approached.
Among the outstanding issues are the full implementation and release of the Medical Residency Training Fund, implementation of the new Professional Allowance table, payment of minimum wage arrears and the urgent recruitment of resident doctors and other essential healthcare personnel.
The association described the prevailing welfare situation at LTH Ogbomoso as increasingly difficult, insisting that its demands were neither excessive nor unreasonable.
“These demands are neither outrageous nor unreasonable,” the doctors said, noting that some of the welfare packages being demanded had already been implemented in other healthcare institutions for several years.
The ARD also raised alarm over what it described as a severe shortage of medical personnel at the hospital.
According to the association, the manpower deficit has left the available doctors overworked and overstretched, with prolonged and frequent call duties becoming increasingly common.
“The Hospital is experiencing gross manpower shortages, while the inability to attract and retain resident doctors is further worsened by the prevailing welfare conditions,” the statement said.
The doctors warned that the manpower crisis could negatively affect patient care and safety, stressing that the welfare of healthcare workers was directly connected to the quality and sustainability of medical services.
“This is not merely a matter of doctors’ personal comfort. The welfare of healthcare workers is intrinsically linked to patient safety, quality of care and the sustainability of healthcare services,” the association said.
The ARD appealed to the Oyo State governor and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently and resolve the outstanding issues before the expiration of the eight-week period.
“We particularly appeal to the governor to safeguard the future of LTH Ogbomoso and salvage the increasingly critical situation within the institution by ensuring the prompt resolution of these outstanding welfare concerns,” it said.
The doctors said they remained committed to dialogue and had no intention of unnecessarily disrupting healthcare services or causing hardship for residents.
“Our preference remains constructive engagement, dialogue and a mutually beneficial resolution,” the association said.
However, the ARD maintained that its patience was not unlimited, pointing to its decision to suspend the earlier industrial action as evidence of its willingness to give the authorities time to act.
It consequently announced that failure to resolve the outstanding demands would trigger the resumption of its suspended industrial action from August 28.
“We therefore wish to state clearly that if these outstanding demands remain unresolved, the Association shall resume its suspended industrial action effective 28 August 2026,” the statement said.
The association urged the Oyo State Government and LTH Ogbomoso management to take decisive steps before the deadline to prevent another disruption of medical services at the teaching hospital.
It reaffirmed its commitment to the progress of the institution and the delivery of quality healthcare, stressing that a well-motivated, adequately staffed and properly supported workforce remained essential to achieving those goals.
