LAUTECH doctors urge Makinde to release training fund, pay arrears

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

The appeal was contained in an open letter addressed to the governor and signed by the ARD President, Dr Mustapha Adedapo, and General Secretary, Dr John Stephen.

The association commended the Makinde administration for investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across the state, while also expressing concern over welfare issues affecting resident doctors.

“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.

The doctors, however, said the non-disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund has continued to place financial pressure on resident doctors undergoing postgraduate medical training.

According to the association, Oyo State remains the only state in the South-West yet to disburse the fund to eligible resident doctors since the enactment of the Medical Residency Training Act in 2017.

The association said: “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 doctors described the fund as a critical investment in the future of healthcare delivery in the state.

“Timely disbursement of the MRTF is not merely a welfare issue; it is an investment in the future of healthcare in Oyo State,” the letter added.

The association also expressed concern over outstanding minimum wage arrears, noting that rising inflation and increasing living costs have worsened the financial burden on 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 doctors stated.

The ARD warned that continued delays could worsen the migration of medical professionals and affect healthcare delivery across the state.

“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 urged the governor to ensure the immediate release of the training fund, payment of outstanding wage arrears and sustained engagement with healthcare professionals.

They reaffirmed their commitment to quality healthcare service delivery and expressed confidence that the state government would address the issues.

“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 letter stated.