The Association of Resident Doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has raised the alarm over the hospital’s deteriorating condition.
In an open letter dated July 4, 2025, the association painted a grim picture of the facility, citing poor remuneration, insufficient government support, and a mass exodus of personnel as threats to its survival.
Addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, the letter—signed by Dr. Stephen Adedokun (President) and Dr. Adedapo Mustapha (General Secretary)—urged urgent intervention to salvage the only state-owned multispecialty tertiary health institution, which also functions as a major referral centre for all 33 local governments in the state and neighbouring areas.
The doctors reported that the hospital, once home to nearly 270 resident doctors, now struggles with fewer than 65. Many doctors, the letter noted, have resigned in search of better opportunities elsewhere in Nigeria and abroad.
“Resignations occur almost every week,” the letter stated. “The result is an overburdened and overstretched workforce, with some departments operating without junior registrars, and senior registrars forced to take on excessive on-call duties.”
In the clinical departments of Laboratory Medicine, only one resident doctor is left per department, leading to daily call duties for each of them. In some areas, the number of consultants now exceeds that of residents—a reversal of the ideal structure.
Beyond the exodus, the doctors pointed to the poor working conditions and uncompetitive salaries, stating that personnel earn about 30% less than their counterparts directly employed by the state government.
They also noted that the hospital offers one of the lowest salary packages nationwide, making it nearly impossible to attract fresh talent.
Further worsening the crisis, the association condemned the state government’s failure to implement the new minimum wage package approved in January 2025.
While the wage increase has been applied to other government-employed health workers, those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital—who are paid via subvention—have been excluded.
Additionally, the Medical Residency Training Fund remains unpaid, and the domestication of its enabling Act has stalled since its initial hearing in 2021.
The doctors warned that without swift and meaningful intervention, the hospital risks losing its accreditation for residency training due to the collapsing training environment, severe staff burnout, and deteriorating patient care.
The letter concluded with a heartfelt plea: “We appeal to Your Excellency and all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene. The people of Oyo State deserve a functional and empowered tertiary health institution. May LAUTECH Teaching Hospital thrive. May Oyo State prosper. May Nigeria flourish.”