The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has ended its warning strike following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Dr. George Ebong, the Association’s President, announced on Friday that under Wike’s leadership, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has met their demands.
Earlier, on Wednesday, doctors had shut down all FCTA-owned hospitals in Abuja due to unpaid salary arrears and other issues.
However, in an update on Friday, Dr. Ebong confirmed that members have started receiving payments for six months of salary arrears.
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He also shared that Wike has approved the immediate payment of the owed accoutrement allowance, authorized a two-year medical residency bonding, approved the hiring of doctors and allied health workers to address severe staff shortages, and ordered the prompt payment of locum doctors and other health workers who were owed.
As a result of Wike’s intervention, Dr. Ebong stated that doctors in the FCT are expected to resume work on Saturday, January 25, 2025, thus averting a potential indefinite hospital shutdown in Abuja.
He thanked the minister for his swift response but urged him to address the remaining demands to prevent future strike actions.
Dr. Ebong expressed gratitude on behalf of the Association’s executive and congress members, acknowledging Wike’s timely intervention and highlighting the following achievements:
- Payment of six months of salary arrears
- Release of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Funds
- Payment of the owed accoutrement allowance
- Approval for two-year medical residency bonding
- Employment of new doctors and health workers
- Payment to locum doctors and other health workers
He called for mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future and reiterated the Association’s hopes that the government will address other pending issues such as hazard allowances, healthcare facility upgrades, and promotions to consultant positions.
Dr. Ebong concluded by expressing optimism about the FCTA’s health sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and extended an invitation for the Minister to visit district hospitals soon. He thanked Wike for his support and goodwill.
