Overworked members of the Association of Residents Doctors, Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State chapter, have requested the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to deal with the serious situation they are currently facing.
The LAUTECH doctors expressed their dissatisfaction with the low salary, stating that it discourages potential job seekers.
They emphasized that not addressing these financial concerns affects patient care and reduces the hospital’s ability to keep qualified medical professionals.
The tweet says, “LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso needs your urgent intervention @seyiamakinde. Our doctors are overworked due to a shortage of manpower. No one wants to come because of abysmal pay.
“Residents taking back-to-back calls are prone to errors while covering multiple. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso is the only teaching hospital in the South West yet to pay new hazard allowance, MRTF and new CONMESS.”
Also, a doctor in the hospital who goes by the name The Nigerian Doctor on X also lamented that they are overworked due to a shortage of staff in the facility.
He noted that the hospital is currently operating with only 70 resident doctors, instead of the required 270 and 10 house officers, instead of 48 as a result of poor welfare on the part of the government.
His post read, “Your Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde @seyiamakinde, Governor of Oyo State @oyostategovt. With a heavy heart, I write to you on behalf of Nigerian Resident Doctors @lth_ard, who are working at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital @lautech.
“Sir, you are aware of the brain drain in Nigeria as thousands of our colleagues have fled the country in search of greener pastures (Japa). If well-paying metropolitan cities like Lagos are struggling to retain doctors, imagine the crisis Ogbomosho will be facing.
“As of the last count, LAUTECH-TH has 70 resident doctors, instead of 270! 10 house officers, instead of 48! We are informed three doctors resigned last week alone.”
The doctor also emphasised that the shortage of staff poses risks to patients as the remaining doctors are overworked.
“Can you imagine how overworked the remaining doctors will be? Can you imagine the dangers the good citizens of Oyo State face, as they are being treated by exhausted doctors, who are working back-to-back shifts, due to a shortage of hands?
“I will not be surprised if more doctors tender their resignation letters, at this rate. In fact, it is a wonder the resident doctors have not proceeded on strike, to protest their meagre income,” he added.
Making specific demands, the doctor added, “Sir, Nigerian doctors plead with you to implement the previously approved funds for Medical Residency Training Fund; CONMESS 35% salary increase; hazard allowance; and intern waiver allowance.
“We have been privy to the abundance of correspondence, hearings, and negotiations about these funds. We have been informed that the only pending but most crucial step is for you to sign your approval and these funds will roll out ASAP.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Suleiman Olarewaju, said he would reply to our correspondent when reached for comment.
At the time of writing this report, he has not replied yet.
He mentioned, "Let me get the latest information, I will get back to you," when asked for the latest information.
In December 2021, the Federal Government raised the hazard allowances for health workers in its healthcare facilities nationwide.
This was stated in a circular dated December 22, 2021, by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
The circular addressed the review of hazard allowance for health workers in federal hospitals, medical centers, and clinics in government offices.
The circular read, “The hazard allowance was changed to a standard rate ranging from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for health workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while doctors on CONMESS had theirs adjusted from N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000.”
