Medical practitioners at LAUTECH appeal to Governor Makinde for release of professional development funds and settlement of outstanding debts.

The Association of Resident Doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, is urging Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to expedite the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund and settle the outstanding minimum wage arrears owed to resident doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.

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This plea was made in an open letter to the governor, signed by ARD President Dr Mustapha Adedapo and General Secretary Dr John Stephen, on Monday, in which the doctors acknowledged the administration's efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and infrastructure across the state.

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While commending the government's investments in healthcare, the association also expressed concern over welfare issues affecting resident doctors and offered prayers for the safe return of abducted schoolchildren in the state.

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The letter stated that the administration's efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and infrastructure have positioned Oyo State as a model of progressive governance, as evidenced by investments in infrastructure and improved access to medical services.

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However, the doctors noted that resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital continue to face challenges that affect both their welfare and the quality of healthcare services, including the non-disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.

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This fund, established under the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017, is a crucial support mechanism designed to ease the financial burden of postgraduate medical education, yet Oyo State remains the only state in Southwestern Nigeria yet to disburse it to eligible resident doctors.

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The association emphasized that the exclusion of eligible resident doctors from the fund has resulted in financial strain, attrition of doctors to other facilities, and critical manpower shortages in departments such as Anaesthesia and Chemical Pathology.

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According to the association, the timely disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund would not only improve welfare but also strengthen healthcare delivery in the state, as it is an investment in the future of healthcare in Oyo State.

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The doctors also decried the non-payment of minimum wage arrears, which has negatively impacted morale among healthcare workers amid rising inflation and increasing living costs, further weakening purchasing power and diminishing motivation.

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The situation has left resident doctors grappling with inflation, rising transportation costs, and increasing household expenses, making it essential for the government to address the issue promptly.

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The association warned that delays in addressing these issues could worsen the migration of skilled medical professionals and undermine the state's healthcare goals, as a well-supported healthcare workforce is indispensable to achieving the administration's healthcare objectives.

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Delays in addressing these obligations risk fuelling dissatisfaction, accelerating brain drain, and weakening the state's ability to retain highly skilled medical professionals, according to the letter.

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The association appealed to the governor to ensure the immediate disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of outstanding wage arrears, and sustained engagement with healthcare professionals to foster a conducive working environment.

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The doctors reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality healthcare services to residents of Oyo State and expressed confidence that the government would give the issues urgent attention, as addressing these concerns promptly will reinforce confidence in the administration's dedication to equity, justice, and excellence.