OOUTH resident doctors hail Abiodun over new allowances

The Association of Resident Doctors, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, has commended Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for approving, domesticating and commencing payment of the revised Professional and Specialist Allowances to its members, as earlier promised.

The association, in a statement issued on Sunday by its President, Dr John Omotoso, noted that the development represented the fulfilment of commitments made by the state government following a series of engagements and meetings between the resident doctors and government representatives.

Omotoso, while expressing the association’s gratitude to the state government, said the gesture affirmed the responsiveness of the present administration to the welfare and professional concerns of doctors in the state.

The statement partly read, “The ARD, OOUTH, Sagamu, particularly commended the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for his political will and timely intervention in addressing the demands of doctors and improving their welfare.

“The approval and implementation of the revised allowances will significantly improve the morale, motivation and productivity of resident doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

“This positive development will also further enhance the attractiveness of OOUTH as a centre for postgraduate medical training and practice, thereby helping to attract and retain doctors and address the shortage of resident doctors currently experienced in several departments of the hospital.”

The association also expressed its appreciation to the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, for his consistent and constructive engagement with the association in addressing issues affecting its members and the healthcare sector as a whole.

Omotoso stated that the association remained committed to constructive engagement with the government and other relevant stakeholders, with the collective goal of strengthening medical residency training in the state and making Ogun State a leading destination for postgraduate medical education in Nigeria.

The association also appreciated the immediate past state Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Ogunjimi Lukman, and the Head of Service of Ogun State, Mr Iskeel Saka, for their respective roles and contributions towards promoting industrial harmony, improving doctors’ welfare and ensuring the continued provision of quality healthcare services to the people of Ogun State.

It noted that sustained support for healthcare workers and residency training was essential to maintaining uninterrupted healthcare delivery, particularly at the teaching hospital, the state’s foremost tertiary healthcare institution and a major centre for postgraduate medical training.

Omotoso also expressed appreciation to members of the association for their continued trust in his leadership, unwavering support, commitment to the ideals of the association and dedication to unity throughout the various phases of his administration.

He reaffirmed that the association would continue to pursue the welfare and professional interests of its members through dialogue, constructive engagement and responsible advocacy, while remaining committed to the overall growth and development of the healthcare system in the state.

The association said significant interventions, such as the payment of professional allowances, would further strengthen the partnership between the government and healthcare professionals towards achieving a more efficient, motivated and resilient healthcare workforce for the benefit of the people of Ogun State.