The Abuja Resident Doctors have delivered a two-week ultimatum to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, warning of a potential hospital shutdown if their demands remain unaddressed.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, George Ebong, President of the FCTA Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), acknowledged Wike’s efforts in improving infrastructure within the city but lamented the situation of the doctors, referring to them as “abandoned projects.” He remarked, “While he addresses infrastructural concerns, we are the human abandoned projects.”
Ebong highlighted that the “injustice” faced by doctors is unprecedented in the FCT and cautioned that failure to address these issues could lead to a collapse of the nation’s health sector.
“We urge the minister to resolve these challenges so that doctors can perform to their fullest potential. We had previously issued a 21-day ultimatum last week during our Annual General Meeting, leaving only 14 days remaining,” stated the ARD president.
He expressed concern over the possibility of a severe shutdown that could jeopardize lives, emphasizing the urgency for the minister to respond to their demands promptly.
Among the key demands outlined are the resolution of six months of salary arrears owed to ARD members hired in 2023 and the immediate disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund for 2024.
Additionally, the president called for a review of the bonding policy, proposing a reduction from six years to two years.
Ebong also listed several other requests, including the enforcement of the implementation of skipping allowances for members hired in 2023, the immediate payment of the 2024 accouterments allowance, the settlement of outstanding 13 months of hazard allowance arrears, and the expedited conversion of ARD FCTA post-two members to consultants. Furthermore, he urged the FCTA management to accelerate the hiring of healthcare workers to alleviate the manpower shortage in the capital’s hospitals.
He concluded with optimism, stating, “The minister has the capability to address these challenges effectively.”
