The National Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, has decried the shortage of medical staff at the institution.
They also called for urgent action to address the development, urging the Federal Government to provide additional resources and support to the institution to improve the quality of care and reduce the effect on staff.
ARD President of the institution, Tope Osundara, said this at the handing over of a newly constructed medical facility built by the Musa Olomu-led administration to the association.
Osundara explained that the shortage of staff has been a longstanding issue at the hospital, adding that it is leading to increased waiting time for patients, reduced access to care, and longer stays in the hospital.
The ARD president also raised concern about the physical and mental health of the staff who are working long hours to provide care to patients.
He said all over the country, the situation is very bad. FMC Abeokuta is not just having this situation in isolation. And research through almost all the hospitals in Nigeria, one will discover that the number of doctors that exist is not adequate to carry out the daily routine and daily service for humanity and for the health of all the patients who visit FMC Abeokuta.
He said FMC Abeokuta also needs doctors because at the moment it is short of staff, as he used the opportunity to call on relevant stakeholders to also look in the direction of FMC Abeokuta so that more doctors can join the centre and can render adequate service in terms of health to every citizen and every Ogun state indigene.
“One of the things that can be done to curb the incessant exodus of doctors out of the country is to ensure that the welfare of doctors is looked into. When the government ensures that the welfare of doctors is given top priority, I believe that things will change for the better,” said Osundara.
Osundara appreciated the completion of the new medical facility, noting that it would enhance the quality of healthcare services provided.
Reacting to the ARD president’s appeal, the FMC Medical Director, Musa Olomu said the institution is making efforts to address the shortage of doctors plaguing the hospital.
As it will get the approval to employ and in the next one week it should be able to get same from the head of service in Abuja.
