The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has faulted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over the prolonged strike by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso….
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has faulted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over the prolonged strike by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
The organisation said the strike, which has lasted for more than 30 days, was unacceptable and reflected what it described as the state government’s poor handling of the welfare and working conditions of medical personnel.
In a statement on Sunday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, SSACO also expressed concern over the 21-day warning strike issued by the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State (AMDO) over unresolved issues involving welfare, remuneration and conditions of service.
It said the situation was particularly disturbing because medical workers were being compelled to embark on industrial action over payment of allowances, residency training funds and salary arrears.
According to the organisation, resident doctors are demanding payment of outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and six months of Minimum Wage arrears, among other welfare-related entitlements.
SSACO said the prolonged strike was having a direct impact on healthcare delivery, with patients who depend on public hospitals for affordable and specialised treatment forced to seek alternatives in private facilities or endure long delays in accessing care.
“The SSACO is concerned about Governor Seyi Makinde’s failure to sit with the striking resident doctors and find a lasting solution to their demands. As the strike prolongs, the resident doctors feel maltreated, while the masses bear the brunt of government’s insensitivity,” the statement said.
It added: “Healthcare delivery is a critical service which serious administrations treat with urgency and with the importance it deserves. With this prolonged strike, our resident doctors are feeling maltreated while the masses suffer.”
The organisation warned that the situation could worsen if medical and dental officers across the state proceed with their threatened industrial action.
“The medical and dental officers across state hospitals have also served notice of a warning strike. This combination is a signal of government failure in the health sector. It is unacceptable in our dear state,” SSACO said.
The campaign organisation said healthcare would occupy a priority position under Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s Oyo AHEAD agenda, promising improved welfare, training and working conditions for health workers.
“Health workers and other civil servants will not be denied their entitlements. They will enjoy training and retraining, and they will have facilities to work with,” it said.
SSACO challenged the Makinde administration to explain its handling of the grievances of medical workers, warning that continued disruption of healthcare services could have serious consequences for patients who rely on public hospitals across Oyo State.
