…as Makinde promises to clear welfare arrears

Resident doctors and other health workers at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have suspended their 50-day industrial action following fresh commitments by Governor Seyi Makinde to address their outstanding welfare demands.

The suspension followed a stakeholders’ meeting in Ogbomoso, where the governor promised that the workers’ demands would be addressed by the middle of November.

The industrial action, which disrupted clinical services at the teaching hospital, was triggered by unresolved issues relating to staff welfare, unpaid entitlements and remuneration.

Among the outstanding demands are payment of promotion arrears, the Medical Residency Training Fund, implementation of the Professional Allowance Table and other outstanding entitlements.

The dispute also involved minimum wage arrears owed to 45 cleaners at the institution. Makinde promised to commence payment of the ₦80,000 minimum wage to the affected workers.

Following the meeting, leaders of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) announced the suspension of the strike and directed their members to resume full clinical duties immediately.

The development is expected to ease disruptions at the hospital and improve access to medical services for patients who depend on the facility for treatment.

However, the suspension comes with expectations that the government will fulfil its latest commitments. The workers’ demands include outstanding payments and the implementation of agreed welfare measures, making follow-through on the promises central to resolving the dispute.

The meeting was attended by government officials, hospital management, union leaders and other staff members, who deliberated on the lingering welfare issues that had affected services at the tertiary health institution.