Resident doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun State, have threatened to commence an indefinite strike on June 19 if hospital management fails to meet their demands before the expiration of an ongoing ultimatum.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency congress of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), OAUTH chapter. A copy of the communiqué was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Signed by the association’s President, Dr Martins Jesunbo, and Secretary, Dr Toyyeb Oladipo, the statement accused the hospital management of implementing policies that adversely affect resident doctors and undermine staff welfare.
Among the grievances raised by the association was the continued withholding of residential accommodation that was previously occupied by staff members before they were allegedly asked to vacate the quarters for renovation purposes.
The doctors also alleged that management had repeatedly refused to acknowledge official correspondence from the association, despite such letters being written on the association’s letterhead, signed by duly elected executives and submitted through recognised officers.
The communiqué stated: “Congress noted with concern that despite the severe manpower shortage across virtually all departments of the hospital, management has continued to subject Resident Doctors to policies and actions that are punitive, discriminatory, and detrimental to staff welfare, including deliberately impeding the seamless upgrading of about twenty-six (26) resident doctors who have fulfilled all prescribed requirements, in clear contravention of Section 6 of the Medical Residency Training Act, 2017.
Congress further noted the continued failure of management to address longstanding welfare concerns repeatedly raised during previous engagements, including: An upward review of the call food quota for resident doctors.
The immediate suspension of the imposed payment for staff identity cards and the inclusion of the cost of production and issuance of such cards in the hospital’s budgetary provisions, as obtainable in many public institutions.
The reversal of the directive linking staff identity cards to the processing of upgrades, leave applications, and other official staff-related matters.”
The association further argued that the management’s handling of staff welfare issues has reduced the institution’s appeal as a centre for medical training while worsening the already existing shortage of personnel across departments.
As part of its demands, the association called for the immediate and unconditional approval of all pending staff upgrades and leave applications.
It also demanded the suspension of charges for staff identity cards and the withdrawal of directives making the cards a prerequisite for official correspondence, promotions and leave processing.
The doctors warned that failure by management to address the issues before the deadline would leave them with no choice but to embark on industrial action.
“Should management fail to address these legitimate demands before the expiration of the ongoing 21-day ultimatum on 19th June, 2026, the association shall have no option but to embark on a total and comprehensive industrial action in accordance with extant labour laws and the resolutions of Congress,” the communique further read.