The Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State chapter, has urged the state government to urgently resolve outstanding welfare and manpower challenges affecting doctors in its secondary and tertiary health institutions.
The association warned that the prolonged concerns involving resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, and medical and dental officers under the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State could seriously affect healthcare delivery and patient safety.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the NMA Chairman, Dr Olufemi Aworinde, and General Secretary, Dr Jemiludeen Moharson-Bello, the association said, “Doctors’ welfare is patients’ welfare.”
The NMA acknowledged efforts by the Oyo State Government and relevant officials to engage with medical workers, including the partial payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, it called for the implementation of outstanding agreements on remuneration, allowances, career progression, recruitment and retention of medical personnel.
The association said delays in addressing the issues had increased pressure on doctors and contributed to the loss of skilled manpower from the state’s healthcare system.
It said the departure of experienced doctors had left vacancies, affected residency training and increased pressure on emergency services, with patients and their families eventually bearing the consequences.
The NMA also raised concerns over the ongoing industrial action by resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, which has entered its 38th day.
According to the association, the strike followed the expiration of an eight-week ultimatum issued over unresolved welfare concerns.
It identified the completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund payment, implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Table and resolution of other outstanding welfare matters as immediate priorities.
The NMA also said the Association of Medical and Dental Officers had formally notified the state government of unresolved conditions-of-service issues following its Annual General Meeting on September 17.
AMDO has given the government 21 days to address its demands, warning that it may commence industrial action on October 12 if the issues are not satisfactorily resolved.
Among its demands are completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund payment, implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Table and payment of outstanding Accoutrement Allowance.
The NMA said its own two-week ultimatum, issued at its Emergency State Executive Council meeting on September 26, would also expire on October 12.
It therefore appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde and relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to move from discussions to concrete implementation of the agreed measures.
The association said, “What is required at this stage is not another cycle of promises, but measurable action capable of restoring confidence among doctors and bringing stability to the health system.”
It added that sustainable healthcare could not be achieved without adequate staffing and support for medical personnel.
The NMA said it remained committed to dialogue and industrial harmony but warned that it could not guarantee continued stability in the state’s health sector if the outstanding issues were not resolved within the stipulated timelines.
