Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso have issued a stern warning that they will begin a seven-day strike starting October 2 if the Oyo State government fails to address their lingering welfare concerns. The threat was made by the Oyo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), whose chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo, revealed that healthcare workers are grappling with deteriorating conditions that could soon cripple the state’s health sector.
Adedapo explained that the strike notice followed a 15-day ultimatum issued to the state government on September 18, which expired without any meaningful response. He said doctors at LAUTECH are demanding improved remuneration, timely payment of allowances, recruitment of more medical staff, and urgent upgrades to the hospital’s infrastructure. According to him, these requests are not extravagant but necessary to ensure that both doctors and patients receive the care and support they deserve.
The NMA chairman noted that despite engaging several key officials including the deputy governor, the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, the commissioner of health, and members of the Oyo State Council of Elders, as well as writing directly to Governor Seyi Makinde, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the crisis. “A labourer deserves his wage. We are not asking for too much. What we want is fairness, improved working conditions, and the survival of our healthcare system,” he stated.
The warning strike is expected to intensify the pressure already weighing heavily on the hospital. It comes barely two months after about 60 resident doctors at LAUTECH embarked on an indefinite strike on July 29, leaving patients stranded and in some cases leading to avoidable deaths. Central to the dispute is the non-implementation of the minimum wage for LAUTECH hospital staff, despite other healthcare workers in the state already benefiting from it.
Adedapo stressed that failure by the government to take action could lead to the total collapse of healthcare services in Oyo State, warning of dire consequences if nothing is done. He urged Governor Makinde to urgently intervene before the situation escalates further, insisting that the strike is not merely about salaries but about sustaining the state’s health system and protecting patients who depend on it.