The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State chapter, has called on the state government to urgently resolve outstanding welfare and staffing issues affecting doctors across its secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.

The association warned that continued delays in addressing the concerns could worsen the shortage of medical personnel and ultimately affect the quality and safety of healthcare delivery in the state.

In a statement signed by the NMA Oyo State Chairman, Dr Olufemi Aworinde, and General Secretary, Dr Jemiludeen Moharson-Bello, the association stressed that the welfare of doctors was directly connected to the welfare of patients.

LAUTECH resident doctors' strike enters 38th day

The NMA expressed particular concern over the ongoing industrial action by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

According to the association, the strike had reached its 38th day after an earlier eight-week ultimatum expired without an agreement on some of the doctors' major demands.

The NMA identified the completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund payment, implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Table and resolution of other outstanding welfare matters as immediate priorities.

The association acknowledged efforts by the Oyo State Government and other officials to engage with doctors, as well as the partial payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.

However, it maintained that partial implementation was not enough to resolve the problems confronting medical workers.

NMA warns of growing manpower shortage

The association said delays in remuneration, allowances, career progression and recruitment were contributing to the loss of experienced medical professionals from the state's health system.

It warned that when skilled doctors leave, vacant positions become harder to fill, residency training is disrupted and the workload on the remaining medical personnel increases.

Emergency services, it added, could also come under greater pressure, leaving patients and their families to bear the consequences.

The NMA therefore called for concrete measures to retain existing doctors while recruiting additional personnel to fill vacancies across the state's hospitals.

Medical officers give October 12 strike deadline

The association also highlighted concerns involving the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State (AMDO).

According to the NMA, AMDO formally presented its unresolved welfare and conditions-of-service concerns to the government following its Annual General Meeting held on September 17, 2026.

The group reportedly gave the government 21 days to address its demands and warned that industrial action could begin on Monday, October 12, if satisfactory progress was not made.

Among the demands are the completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund payment, implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Table and payment of outstanding Accoutrement Allowance.

NMA's own ultimatum expires October 12

The NMA said its own two-week ultimatum, issued after an Emergency State Executive Council meeting on September 26, would also expire on October 12.

The association consequently appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde and relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to move beyond discussions and implement the commitments already made to medical workers.

It said doctors needed measurable action rather than another round of assurances.

'Doctors' welfare is patients' welfare'

The NMA maintained that it remained open to dialogue and wanted to preserve industrial harmony in Oyo State.

However, it warned that unresolved welfare concerns could make it difficult to guarantee continued stability within the health sector.

The association said its primary concern remained the safety and wellbeing of residents, stressing that sustainable healthcare delivery would be difficult without a properly staffed, supported and adequately remunerated medical workforce.

With October 12 approaching as the deadline for both the NMA's ultimatum and the AMDO warning, pressure is mounting on the Oyo State Government to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent further disruption to healthcare services.