The Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State chapter, says it will begin a seven-day warning strike on October 2 if the state government fails to address their demands for improved welfare of members in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.
This was discussed by Dr. Happy Adedapo, the association's chairman, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Ibadan. He claims that the strike aims to bring to the attention of the government the pressing issues that healthcare workers face, such as deteriorating welfare, inadequate infrastructure, and burnout. He said that the association had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Oyo State government on September 18 to address their demands.
He stated that the association’s demands encompass a range of issues, including improved remuneration structures and timely payment of allowances.
The addition of additional medical staff, improvements to the infrastructure, and improved governance structures for the LAUTECH teaching hospital are additional examples. "We have engaged the members of the Oyo state council of elders, the commissioner of health, the deputy governor, and the deputy speaker of the house of assembly." “We have written letters to the governor himself to find lasting solutions to these issues to no avail. We are not demanding too much as a labourer is worthy of his wage”.
“We are not going back on our decision except the government commences the process of improving the welfare of our members at LAUTECH,” he said.
Adedapo issued a warning that if the government does not take immediate action, healthcare services in Oyo state may cease entirely. He called on Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to urgently intervene to prevent a looming crisis in the state healthcare system.
Recall that about 60 resident doctors in LAUTECH teaching hospital embarked on an indefinite strike on July 29.
As at last week, the ongoing strike left patients stranded and, in some cases, dead in the hospital.
The doctors’ major demands include the implementation of minimum wage for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital staff, which has not been enforced despite the implementation for other healthcare workers in the state.