LAUTECH doctors raise the alarm over unpaid training fund

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to immediately release the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and pay outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to resident doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.

In an open letter addressed to the governor on Monday, the association commended the Makinde administration for its investments in healthcare infrastructure and efforts to improve access to medical services across the state.

The letter, signed by the ARD President, Dr Mustapha Adedapo, and General Secretary, Dr John Stephen, also offered prayers for the safe return of abducted schoolchildren in the state.

“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.

Despite the commendation, the association expressed concern over welfare issues affecting resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, saying the challenges were impacting both staff wellbeing and healthcare delivery.

The doctors particularly lamented the non-disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, describing it as a critical support mechanism established under the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 to ease the financial burden of postgraduate medical education.

According to the association, Oyo State remains the only state in South-West Nigeria that has yet to disburse the fund to eligible resident doctors since the law came into effect.

The doctors said the situation had imposed financial hardship on resident doctors and contributed to the migration of medical professionals to other institutions.

“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 stated.

The ARD stressed that prompt release of the fund would not only improve the welfare of doctors but also strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.

The association also decried the non-payment of minimum wage arrears, noting that rising inflation, transportation costs and increasing household expenses had worsened the financial situation of 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 said.

The doctors warned that failure to address the issues could accelerate the migration of skilled medical personnel and undermine the state’s healthcare objectives.

“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 association said.

The doctors appealed to Governor Makinde to ensure the immediate disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of outstanding wage arrears and sustained engagement with healthcare professionals to create a more conducive working environment.

They reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality healthcare services to residents of Oyo State and expressed confidence that the government would give their concerns urgent attention.

“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 added.