Resident doctors lament over staffing deficit at FMC Abeokuta

The Association of Resident Doctors at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State demands immediate action to remedy the issue of severe staffing deficit in the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State

The organization pleaded with the federal government to give the facility more funding and assistance in order to raise patient standards and lighten the workload for employees.

The call was made by Tope Osundara, the institution’s ARD President, during the association’s official opening of a recently built medical facility under the leadership of Musa Olomu.

Osundara expressed her regret at the hospital’s chronic staffing shortfall, noting that it is causing lengthier hospital stays, longer wait times for patients, and less access to care.

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. So, if you search through almost all the hospitals in Nigeria, you will discover that the number of doctors that we have 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.

 “FMC Abeokuta also needs doctors and presently, we are short of staff, we are using this opportunity to call on relevant stakeholders to also look in the direction of FMC Abeokuta so that more doctors can come to the centre and we 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.”

Osundara, however, expressed appreciation for the completion of the new medical facility, noting that it would enha