By Blessing Oghene
Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the hospital management to resolve outstanding salary shortfalls, unpaid allowances and other welfare-related grievances or face possible industrial action.
The ultimatum was contained in a communique issued by the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, at the end of its August 2026 meeting, signed by its President, Dr Olanipekun Quadri, and Secretary, Dr Olorunfemi Solomon.
The doctors expressed concern over what they described as persistent discrepancies in salary payments and delays in the payment of entitlements, including omitted professional allowances and outstanding arrears.
They also demanded the settlement of burial rights and other benefits allegedly owed to deceased members and their families.
The association said the 21-day window was intended to give management adequate time to address the grievances and provide satisfactory solutions.
The doctors warned that failure to resolve the issues within the stipulated period could compel them to take industrial action, potentially disrupting medical services at the federal health institution.
The development adds to growing concerns over the welfare of resident doctors in public hospitals, with similar disputes currently affecting healthcare delivery in other parts of the country.
In a related development, resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, remain on indefinite strike over welfare and working-condition concerns.
President of the LAUTECH ARD, Dr Adedapo Mustapha, said the association had yet to receive any formal communication from the Oyo State Government since the commencement of the strike.
According to him, meetings with officials of the state Ministry of Health have so far yielded only verbal assurances, while doctors continue to grapple with heavy workloads and concerns over remuneration.
Mustapha said the prolonged dispute had taken a toll on the morale and wellbeing of resident doctors.
He, however, said the association remained open to dialogue and urged Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene to facilitate a resolution.
He stressed that improving doctors’ welfare was critical to maintaining an effective healthcare workforce and ensuring uninterrupted, quality care for patients.
