Resident doctors in Abuja have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding that their grievances be addressed, warning that hospitals will be shut down if their requests are not met.
In a statement on Monday, George Ebong, President of the FCTA Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), praised Wike for his efforts in improving Abuja’s infrastructure but lamented that doctors are being treated as “abandoned projects.” He emphasized, “While the minister works on fixing abandoned infrastructure, we are the human abandoned projects.”
Ebong criticized what he described as an “injustice” towards doctors, which he said is “unprecedented in the FCT,” and warned that if the situation continues, the nation’s health sector could face a collapse. “We urge the minister to resolve these issues so that doctors can perform at their best. We gave a 21-day ultimatum last week during our Annual General Meeting, and there are just 14 days left,” he said.
He further stressed, “We do not want the deadliest shutdown that could lead to loss of lives. It is crucial that the minister listens and acts swiftly on our demands.”
Among the key demands, Ebong highlighted the urgent need for the minister to clear the six months of salary arrears owed to ARD members hired in 2023. “The minister should prioritize the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund for 2024,” he added. Additionally, he called for a review of the bonding policy, suggesting it be reduced from six years to two years.
Other demands include the implementation of the skipping policy and the issuance of skipping letters to members employed in 2023, immediate payment of the 2024 accouterments allowance, clearing of the 13-month hazard allowance arrears, and the expeditious conversion of ARD FCTA post-two members to consultants. Ebong also called for accelerated recruitment of healthcare workers to address the staffing shortage in the capital’s hospitals.
Despite the serious nature of their demands, Ebong expressed optimism that Minister Wike can resolve the issues at hand.
