FCT Doctors Call Off Strike After Wike’s Intervention

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has called off its warning strike after the intervention of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The strike, which began on Wednesday, was sparked by unpaid salary arrears and other demands.

Demands Met

According to Dr. George Ebong, President of the Association, the FCTA under Wike’s leadership has met their demands. Members have started receiving alerts for the payment of 6-month salary arrears, and the Minister has approved immediate payment of accoutrement allowances, medical residency bonding, and employment of doctors and allied health workers.

“The Honourable Minister intervened, approved, and ordered the immediate payment of the following: the 6 months of arrears of the salaries owed to doctors and other health workers; the Medical Residency Training Funds (2024) that were owed; approval of the immediate payment of the accoutrement allowance that was owed; approval of the medical residency bonding to 2 years; approval of the immediate employment of doctors and allied health workers to cushion the severe shortage of manpower; approval and immediate payment of locum doctors and other health workers that were owed,” Dr. Ebong said.

Resumption of Work

With these demands met, doctors in the FCT have been requested to resume work today, Saturday, January 25, 2025. Dr. Ebong expressed appreciation for Wike’s prompt intervention, which has averted a looming indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja.

Averting a Crisis

The Minister’s intervention has brought relief to patients and healthcare workers in the FCT. The strike had raised concerns about the potential disruption of healthcare services, but Wike’s prompt action has mitigated this risk.

Ongoing Demands

While the Association has called off the strike, they still hope that other demands, such as hazard allowances and healthcare facility upgrades, will be addressed in due time.

“We also humbly plead with the Honourable Minister to put a mechanism in place to avoid a repeat of this anomaly. We are also hopeful that our other demands will be attended to in due time, such as the payment of the hazard allowance, the upgrading and the rehabilitation of our healthcare facilities, the conversion of post part 2 to consultant cadre, among others,” Dr. Ebong said.

The FCT doctors’ strike has been called off, thanks to Wike’s intervention. The Minister’s prompt action has averted a potential crisis in the healthcare sector and demonstrated his commitment to addressing the concerns of healthcare workers.