Health
Osun resident doctors' strike paralyzes healthcare services, leaves residents stranded
Written By: Alaba Lambert
02 Nov 2025 05:10 PM
Osogbo, Osun – The indefinite strike by resident doctors in Osun State, aligned with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)'s national directive, has plunged residents into uncertainty as medical services at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Osogbo grind to a halt.
Launched on Saturday following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, the strike has left patients without critical care, amplifying fears of a healthcare crisis across the state.
Since the strike began, the UTH Osogbo a vital healthcare hub serving thousands has suspended all clinical services, leaving residents scrambling for alternatives.
Elderly patients like 68-year-old Mrs. Amina Bello, who relies on regular dialysis, expressed despair. “I came for my treatment today, but the hospital is empty. Where do I go now?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Emergency cases, including a young mother in labor who was turned away, highlight the immediate human cost, with reports of patients being referred to private facilities or distant public hospitals ill-equipped to handle the surge.
Local resident Tunde Olawale, a father of three, voiced frustration: “My son has been sick for days, and now we can’t see a doctor. This strike is punishing us, not the government.”
The disruption has hit hardest in rural areas, where UTH Osogbo is often the only accessible medical facility, leaving vulnerable populations children, the elderly, and the poor most at risk.
The strike stems from NARD’s unresolved grievances with the Federal Government, including poor welfare, hazardous working conditions, unpaid allowances, and neglected healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Phillip Ajibade, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) Osun State chapter, confirmed full compliance with the national directive.
“Our members face the same struggles, overwork, inadequate pay, and broken promises. We had no choice but to join,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NARD National President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, in a statement on Saturday, lamented the government’s failure to honor commitments made during prior negotiations.
“Despite ample time and multiple meetings, the government has not acted on our demands for better service conditions and infrastructure,” Suleiman said, justifying the indefinite action.
The strike’s impact extends beyond Osogbo, with reports of reduced medical services in other state facilities as resident doctors, who form the backbone of Nigeria’s public health workforce, withdraw labor.
Launched on Saturday following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, the strike has left patients without critical care, amplifying fears of a healthcare crisis across the state.
Since the strike began, the UTH Osogbo a vital healthcare hub serving thousands has suspended all clinical services, leaving residents scrambling for alternatives.
Elderly patients like 68-year-old Mrs. Amina Bello, who relies on regular dialysis, expressed despair. “I came for my treatment today, but the hospital is empty. Where do I go now?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Emergency cases, including a young mother in labor who was turned away, highlight the immediate human cost, with reports of patients being referred to private facilities or distant public hospitals ill-equipped to handle the surge.
Local resident Tunde Olawale, a father of three, voiced frustration: “My son has been sick for days, and now we can’t see a doctor. This strike is punishing us, not the government.”
The disruption has hit hardest in rural areas, where UTH Osogbo is often the only accessible medical facility, leaving vulnerable populations children, the elderly, and the poor most at risk.
The strike stems from NARD’s unresolved grievances with the Federal Government, including poor welfare, hazardous working conditions, unpaid allowances, and neglected healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Phillip Ajibade, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) Osun State chapter, confirmed full compliance with the national directive.
“Our members face the same struggles, overwork, inadequate pay, and broken promises. We had no choice but to join,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NARD National President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, in a statement on Saturday, lamented the government’s failure to honor commitments made during prior negotiations.
“Despite ample time and multiple meetings, the government has not acted on our demands for better service conditions and infrastructure,” Suleiman said, justifying the indefinite action.
The strike’s impact extends beyond Osogbo, with reports of reduced medical services in other state facilities as resident doctors, who form the backbone of Nigeria’s public health workforce, withdraw labor.
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