Doctors urge Oyo govt to tackle wage disparities, adopt new Act

Doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso have called on the Oyo State government to address wage disparities and fast-track the adoption Medical Residency Training Act/Fund (MRTA/F) for resident doctors.

In a letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) decried the non-implementation of the new minimum wage at the hospital despite its enforcement for other health workers in the state.

The doctors lamented that the failure to implement the wage increase, coupled with the stoppage of wage award, has subjected the hospital’s workforce to severe financial hardship, particularly amid the country’s soaring inflation.

Signed by ARD President, Dr Stephen Adedokun and General Secretary, Dr Adedapo Mustapha, the letter urged the governor to direct the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of the minimum wage for doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

The association also emphasised the need for prompt approval of the MRTA/F, noting that its enforcement would not only enhance specialist training but also attract more doctors to the state’s healthcare system. While acknowledging the governor’s efforts to adopt the MRTA/F, the doctors stressed the urgency of fast-tracking the process to prevent further hardship.

They commended Makinde’s commitment to workers’ welfare, including his consistent payment of salaries and adoption of the N80,000 minimum wage statewide. However, they maintained that prioritising their demands would significantly improve healthcare services and the overall well-being of the people of Oyo State.