Medical services in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may come to a halt as the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) threatens a strike over unpaid six-month salary arrears.
Speaking at a press briefing held at Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, on Monday, ARD President, Dr. George Ebong, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to address the association’s grievances.
Dr. Ebong lamented the non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and other outstanding allowances, describing the situation as untenable for medical professionals grappling with economic challenges. While acknowledging the minister’s infrastructural initiatives in Abuja, he stressed that neglecting doctors’ welfare could have severe consequences.
“Our demands are clear and urgent,” Dr. Ebong stated, highlighting key issues such as:
– Payment of six-month salary arrears for doctors employed in 2023.
– Immediate disbursement of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
– Reduction of the bonding policy from six years to two years.
– Implementation of skipping allowances for 2023 recruits.
– Payment of 2024 accoutrement allowances and 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
– Promotion of ARD Post-2 members to consultant status.
– Recruitment of additional healthcare workers to address staff shortages.
The ARD emphasized that failure to meet these demands within two weeks would leave them with no option but to withdraw their services.
Dr. Ebong called on the FCT administration to prioritize the welfare of healthcare workers, warning that any further delay could worsen the already strained health sector in Abuja.