Health

FCT Hospitals Grounded As Doctors Commence Three-day Strike

By Alice Etuka, Abuja

Activities in Public Hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been grounded following the commencement of a three-day strike by the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration, (ARD FCTA).

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, President of ARD FCTA, Dr. George Ebong disclosed that their action was prompted by the refusal of the government to pay their salaries, allowances, and other their other demands.

Ebong said the strike came after a three-week ultimatum issued last year by the doctors had elapsed.

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He decried the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in the nation’s capital, stressed that doctors in Abuja had become abandoned projects. He therefore called on the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene to avoid an indefinite shutdown of hospitals.

According to him, the decision to embark on the three-day warning strike is a fallout from a Congress held by its members on Tuesday.

“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja—from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya and all other hospitals in Abuja.

“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and dialogued on several occasions. They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay for the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.

“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister.”

“After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike.”

“We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to avert an indefinite shutdown of the hospitals in Abuja,” he said.

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