OAUTH resident doctors begin indefinite strike over welfare issues

Resident doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) have commenced an indefinite strike following unresolved welfare and workplace issues with the hospital management.

The decision was reached at an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), OAUTHC, held virtually on June 20, 2026, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, jointly signed by the President, Dr Martins, Jesunbo J.; General Secretary, Dr Oladipo, Toyyeb B.; and Public Relations Officer, Dr Oaihimire, Joel I.

The association said the congress reviewed developments following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to the management over welfare-related concerns affecting its members.

According to the communiqué, members also assessed the management’s response to the association’s demands and the outcomes of engagements and interventions by stakeholders during the ultimatum period.

The doctors alleged that the management’s official response dated June 17, 2026, referenced CMD.25A/VOL.III/377, did not accurately reflect the facts, agreements reached and the current state of discussions between both parties.

Congress, however, acknowledged the reversal of the identity card attachment policy and progress made in processing members’ upgrades following engagements with management.

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The association also noted the exemption of newly employed staff from payment for identity cards but maintained that identity cards remain institutional property and that costs associated with their production, rebranding or reissuance should be borne by the institution.

The doctors further observed that employees recruited in 2022 and regularised in 2024 were excluded from the exemption despite not receiving identity cards at the time of their initial employment.

The association expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed adjustments to call-duty meal provisions, stating that the measures failed to adequately cater for all doctors officially on call across eligible units and departments.

Congress also lamented what it described as a housing crisis affecting resident doctors and the declining availability of hospital accommodation.

It noted that several residential units at the Eleyele Urban Comprehensive Health Centre have remained vacant for months after resident doctors were displaced from the facility.

According to the communiqué, the available housing units should be allocated to resident doctors to improve staff welfare, facilitate prompt emergency response, enhance patient care and strengthen residency training.

The doctors further raised concerns over what they described as severe manpower shortages across most departments of the hospital and alleged selective implementation of certain allowances for other categories of staff while resident doctors remain excluded.

On postgraduate medical training, the association faulted the bench fees charged to resident doctors from accredited private teaching hospitals undergoing rotations at OAUTHC.

The doctors argued that the policy is inconsistent with the principles of equity, reciprocity and postgraduate medical training standards.

Congress also noted that OAUTHC residents who had undertaken rotations in some private teaching hospitals were not subjected to similar fees, describing the policy as discriminatory and inequitable.

As part of its resolutions, the association rejected the management’s June 17 letter in its entirety.

“Congress rejects in its entirety the letter dated 17th June 2026 (REF: CMD.25A/VOL.III/377) and its contents, having found that it does not accurately reflect the facts, agreements reached, and the current status of discussions between both parties,” the communiqué stated.

The doctors demanded the immediate restoration and extension of call-duty meal provisions to all doctors officially on call across eligible hospital units and departments.

They also called for the issuance of identity cards free of charge to all staff, including those who had not previously been captured, doctors recruited in 2022 and regularised in 2024, and holders of old identity cards requiring conversion to the new format.

The association further demanded refunds for members who had already paid for identity cards.

Other demands include the immediate allocation of available and habitable residential units at UCHC, Eleyele, inclusion of resident doctors in the implementation and payment of all applicable allowances, and the abolition of bench fees for resident doctors from accredited private teaching hospitals undertaking approved rotations at OAUTHC.

“In light of Management’s disposition, the failure to satisfactorily address the aforementioned demands, and after exhaustive deliberations on the current appalling state of affairs, Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite strike action and peaceful protest commencing at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 22nd June 2026, and continuing until satisfactory outcomes are reached on all outstanding demands,” the communiqué added.

NARD backs OAUTHC resident doctors

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed its backing for the decision of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), to embark on an indefinite strike.

The National Secretariat, in a statement on Monday, said the indefinite strike action stems from longstanding welfare and workplace concerns that have remained inadequately addressed despite sustained engagements, dialogue, and the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the hospital management.

“Among the key issues raised by the Association are the restoration of call-duty meal provisions for doctors on call, free issuance and refund of staff identity cards, allocation of habitable residential accommodation to resident doctors, inclusion of resident doctors in the implementation of applicable allowances, and the abolition of bench fees imposed on resident doctors from accredited private teaching hospitals undergoing approved rotations at OAUTHC,” the statement said. 

While calling on the Management of OAUTHC and all relevant stakeholders to immediately engage in sincere, transparent, and result-oriented negotiations aimed at addressing these issues without further delay, NARD warns against any form of victimisation, intimidation, harassment, punitive transfer, threat, salary withholding, or disciplinary action targeted at any resident doctor or healthcare worker participating in this legitimate industrial action. 

“Any attempt to victimize our members will be viewed as an attack on the collective rights and welfare of resident doctors nationwide and will be resisted through all lawful means available to the Association,” the statement added.