From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, have appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to ensure the implementation of the new minimum wage for their members, saying they have been excluded despite its rollout for other health workers in the state.
The doctors, under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-LTH), made the appeal in a statement signed by their President, Dr. Adedokun Ishola, and General Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Al-halim, on Friday.
According to the statement, the doctors also urged the governor to approve the Medical Residency Training Act/Fund (MRTA/F), which they said would improve specialist training and attract more doctors to the state.
“We believe that implementing these requests is crucial to enhancing the welfare and living conditions of Oyo State residents. We urge the government to treat this issue with urgency,” the statement read.
Despite their concerns, the association commended Governor Makinde for his efforts in sustaining the wage award to civil servants, ensuring prompt salary payments, and being among the first governors to adopt the N80,000 minimum wage and the 13th-month salary payment.
“We appreciate the ongoing steps toward adopting MRTA/F in the state, but more needs to be done to fast-track its implementation. This will encourage more doctors to undergo specialist training and offer quality healthcare services,” the doctors added.
