The Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, is raising concerns about the severe lack of medical staff within the institution, urging immediate action to rectify the situation.
The association has called upon the Federal Government to allocate additional resources and support to the medical center, with the aim of enhancing the quality of patient care and alleviating the strain on existing staff.
Tope Osundara, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at FMC Abeokuta, conveyed these concerns during the official handover of a newly constructed medical facility, led by the administration of Musa Olomu, to the association.
Osundara emphasized that the issue of staff shortage has persisted at the hospital for an extended period, resulting in longer waiting times for patients, limited access to healthcare, and extended hospital stays.
Furthermore, the ARD president expressed worries about the physical and mental well-being of the overworked staff who put in long hours to care for patients.
He stated, “All over the country, the situation is very bad. FMC Abeokuta is not isolated in facing this challenge. So, if you investigate almost all hospitals in Nigeria, you will discover that the number of doctors we have is insufficient to handle the daily demands and services required for the well-being of patients visiting FMC Abeokuta.”
In addressing the ongoing departure of doctors from the country, Osundara proposed that prioritizing doctors’ welfare could be an effective measure, leading to positive changes in the healthcare sector.
However, he expressed gratitude for the completion of the new medical facility, emphasizing that it would contribute to the overall enhancement of healthcare services.
Responding to the appeals of the ARD president, the FMC Medical Director, Musa Olomu, assured that the institution is actively working to tackle the shortage of doctors affecting the hospital.
Olomu stated, “We will still get the approval to employ, and I think in the next one week, we should be able to get it from the head of service in Abuja.”