The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has issued a stern ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, warning of a complete shutdown of hospitals in 14 days if their demands are not addressed.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, lauded the minister’s efforts in infrastructural development but expressed deep concern over the neglect of doctors’ welfare, describing the situation as dire.
“We appreciate the minister for his infrastructural development in the FCT since his emergence. But doctors are an abandoned project,” Ebong stated. “While he fixes infrastructural abandoned projects, we are the human abandoned projects. We believe the minister can deal with the challenge.”
The association outlined key demands, including:
Immediate payment of six months’ salary arrears owed to doctors employed in 2023.
Disbursement of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Reduction of the bonding policy from six years to two.
Implementation of skipping allowances for 2023 intakes and issuance of relevant letters.
Timely payment of 2024 accoutrement allowances.
Clearing of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
Conversion of ARD Post 2 members to consultants.
Recruitment of healthcare workers to tackle severe manpower shortages.
“This injustice is alien to the FCT; if allowed to persist, the nation’s health sector will collapse,” Ebong warned.
The association had initially issued a 21-day ultimatum following their Annual General Meeting, leaving 14 days for the minister to act decisively.
“We do not want the deadliest shutdown, but if no action is taken, we will have no choice. The health of this nation is at stake, and the minister must act without delay,” Ebong concluded.
The warning signals a critical moment for the FCT’s healthcare system, with the potential strike threatening to paralyze medical services and put countless lives at risk.
