By Adeyemi Adekunle
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, demanding urgent resolution of their grievances, including six months of unpaid salaries. The doctors have warned of a complete shutdown of medical services in the nation’s capital if their demands are not met, raising fears of a health crisis in Abuja.
Speaking at a press conference held at Wuse District Hospital, ARD President Dr. George Ebong highlighted the dire situation facing doctors in the FCT, emphasizing the economic hardship they endure due to unpaid wages and unfulfilled obligations. He commended Minister Wike for his strides in infrastructure development but urged him to direct equal attention to the welfare of healthcare workers.
According to Dr. Ebong, doctors in the FCT feel abandoned and overburdened, calling themselves “human abandoned projects.” He appealed to the minister to prioritize their needs with the same commitment he has shown to infrastructural growth. The association’s demands include the immediate payment of six months of salary arrears for doctors employed in 2023, settlement of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund, and the reduction of the bonding policy from six years to two years.
Other requests outlined by the association include the implementation of skipping allowances and issuance of skipping letters for members employed in 2023, payment of 2024 accouterments allowance, and settlement of outstanding 13-month hazard allowance arrears. They also called for the expedited conversion of ARD FCTA Post 2 members to consultants and the swift recruitment of healthcare workers to address the severe manpower shortage in FCT hospitals.
Dr. Ebong expressed concern over the potential collapse of the healthcare sector if these issues remain unresolved. He described the current neglect as unsustainable and warned of the devastating impact on patients and the broader community.
The association had previously issued a 21-day ultimatum during their Annual General Meeting, but the government failed to address their concerns.
The ultimatum has heightened tensions within the medical community and sparked anxiety among residents of the FCT, who fear the consequences of a potential strike. Public hospitals, already grappling with resource constraints, would face severe disruptions if the doctors withdraw their services.
While Dr. Ebong acknowledged the minister’s capacity to address the issues, he stressed the urgency of immediate action to avert a crisis. He urged Minister Wike to resolve their grievances swiftly, emphasizing that the well-being of healthcare workers is essential to maintaining an effective and functional health sector.
