Medical services at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, have been severely disrupted following the commencement of an indefinite strike by resident doctors over unpaid allowances and welfare concerns.
The industrial action, which took effect after a resolution reached by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), has affected clinical and emergency services, leaving many patients stranded and forcing others to seek medical attention elsewhere.
The doctors accused the hospital management and relevant authorities of failing to address longstanding issues relating to the payment of outstanding allowances and other welfare packages despite several appeals and engagements.
According to the association, repeated efforts to secure the release of the entitlements yielded little result, prompting members to withdraw their services as a last resort.
Speaking on the development, representatives of the doctors said the strike was not intended to inconvenience patients but was necessary to draw attention to their plight and ensure that their legitimate demands are met.
They noted that poor welfare conditions have continued to affect the morale and productivity of healthcare workers, warning that the situation could worsen if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the issues.
Patients and their relatives who visited the hospital expressed frustration over the disruption of services, urging the Ogun State Government and hospital management to intervene quickly to end the impasse.
Meanwhile, the doctors have maintained that the strike will continue until concrete commitments are made regarding the payment of outstanding allowances and the implementation of measures aimed at improving their welfare.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the hospital management were ongoing at the time of filing this report.