The healthcare sector in Oyo State has been thrown into fresh crisis as nurses and midwives at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have declared an indefinite strike. The industrial action, which commenced today, follows the non-implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and unresolved welfare challenges that have lingered for years.
According to the striking workers, the decision was not taken lightly but became inevitable after repeated appeals and negotiations with the hospital management and state authorities failed to yield results. They insisted that the welfare of frontline healthcare professionals cannot be compromised, especially at a time when the nation is battling economic pressures and a shortage of skilled health workers.
Reasons for the Strike
The nurses and midwives cited several grievances:
- Non-implementation of the new National Minimum Wage as approved by the Federal Government.
- Lack of improved working conditions despite increased workload.
- Poor welfare packages compared to their counterparts in other states.
- Unfulfilled promises from previous dialogues with hospital management.
One of the union leaders, while addressing journalists in Ogbomoso, stated that the strike would continue indefinitely until concrete steps are taken by the government to address their demands.
“We have been patient for too long. Our members are overworked, underpaid, and neglected. The refusal to implement the minimum wage is not only unfair but also demoralizing. This strike will continue until our voices are heard,” the leader said.
Impact on Healthcare Services
With the commencement of the strike, medical services at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital have already been severely affected. Patients scheduled for routine check-ups, surgeries, and other medical care have been left stranded. Relatives of admitted patients expressed fears over how the strike will affect the wellbeing of their loved ones, especially those in critical conditions.
Healthcare observers warn that if the strike is not resolved quickly, it could worsen the already strained healthcare delivery system in Oyo State.
Reactions from the Public
Residents of Ogbomoso and other communities who depend on the teaching hospital for medical care have appealed to the state government and hospital management to urgently engage the nurses and midwives in dialogue. Many described the industrial action as a major setback to public healthcare, stressing that ordinary citizens are the ones bearing the brunt.
Some community leaders also emphasized that failure to resolve the crisis could lead to loss of lives, urging authorities to act swiftly.
Government’s Response Awaited
As at the time of filing this report, neither the Oyo State Government nor the management of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital has issued an official statement addressing the situation. However, expectations are high that an emergency meeting may be convened soon to find a resolution.
Stakeholders in the health sector have called for immediate intervention to prevent escalation, pointing out that continuous strikes by healthcare workers could trigger a brain drain, with professionals leaving for better opportunities abroad.
A Growing Trend of Strikes in the Health Sector
The strike at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital reflects a broader trend across Nigeria’s health sector. Nurses, midwives, doctors, and other medical professionals have frequently downed tools in recent years over issues ranging from poor pay to lack of equipment and inadequate funding of hospitals.
Experts argue that unless governments at federal and state levels prioritize healthcare funding and staff welfare, the country may continue to experience repeated industrial actions that disrupt service delivery and weaken public confidence in the health system.
Conclusion
The indefinite strike by nurses and midwives at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso highlights the urgent need for improved welfare, fair remuneration, and effective dialogue between healthcare workers and the authorities. While the workers insist that the strike is for the sake of justice and dignity, the impact on patients underscores the delicate balance between labour rights and essential service delivery.
Until a resolution is reached, medical care at one of Oyo State’s key teaching hospitals remains paralyzed, leaving patients and their families in uncertainty.
