The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has thrown its weight behind the strike by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, which began on July 29.

The action followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum to the hospital management and the Oyo State Government over unfulfilled promises.

NARD said while some arrears and reimbursements had been partially addressed, several demands remained unmet. These include payment of the new minimum wage with arrears from January 2025, release of the Medical Residency Training Fund, provision of accoutrement allowances, recruitment of more resident doctors, and renovation of dilapidated call rooms.

In a statement signed by the LAUTECH Association of Resident Doctors’ president, Dr Stephen Adedokun, and general secretary, Dr Adedapo Mustapha, the union said its members would not return to work “until tangible and acceptable actions are taken”.

The doctors warned of an overstretched workforce, noting that the number of resident doctors had dropped from nearly 270 to fewer than 65. “The dwindling workforce has placed extreme pressure on the remaining doctors and poses a real threat of service collapse,” the statement said.

The strike has already raised concerns about healthcare delivery in the state-owned teaching hospital, which serves patients from Oyo and neighbouring states.

The Oyo State Government has yet to issue an official response to the industrial action.