Overworked members of the Association of Residents Doctors, Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State chapter, have appealed to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to address the dire situation they are currently facing.
The LAUTECH doctors in a series of posts on X on Sunday, lamented the unattractive remuneration package, noting that the situation is a significant deterrent for prospective applicants.
They stressed that the failure to address these financial concerns compromises patient care and undermines the hospital’s ability to retain qualified medical professionals.
The tweet reads, “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.”
When contacted for reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Suleiman Olarewaju, promised to get back to our correspondent.
As of the time of filing this report, he has yet to revert.
“Let me get the latest information, I will get back to you,” he said.
In December 2021, the Federal Government increased the hazard allowances applicable to health workers in its healthcare facilities across the country.
This was contained in a circular with reference SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 dated December 22, 2021, by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
“Concerning the review of the hazard allowance applicable to health workers in the services of the federal hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in ministries, departments, and agencies.
“The hazard allowance was reviewed to a flat rate that ranges from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for health workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while doctors on CONMESS had theirs reviewed from N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000,” the circular reads.