The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has issued a stern warning to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, threatening a complete shutdown of hospitals within 14 days if their demands are not met.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, acknowledged Wike’s contributions to infrastructural development in the FCT but criticized the lack of attention to doctors’ welfare, describing the situation as dire.
“We appreciate the minister for his infrastructural achievements, but doctors have become the human equivalent of abandoned projects,” Ebong stated.
The association outlined a list of urgent demands, including:
- Immediate payment of six months’ salary arrears owed to doctors employed in 2023.
- Disbursement of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Review of the bonding policy to reduce it from six years to two.
- Implementation of skipping allowances for 2023 recruits.
- Payment of 2024 accoutrements allowances.
- Clearing 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
- Conversion of ARD Post 2 members to consultants.
- Accelerated hiring of healthcare workers to address manpower shortages.
Ebong stressed that the persistent neglect of these issues could lead to the collapse of the nation’s healthcare system.
The doctors had initially issued a 21-day ultimatum during their Annual General Meeting, leaving just 14 days for the minister to address their concerns.
“We hope it does not come to the deadliest shutdown. However, if no action is taken, we will have no choice. The health of this nation is in jeopardy, and immediate intervention is required,” Ebong warned.
The FCT minister is yet to respond to the ultimatum as the countdown continues.
