The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration has sent a warning to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, threatening the “deadliest shutdown” of hospitals in 14 days if their demands are not met.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr George Ebong who lauded Wike for his infrastructural development strides harped on urgent attention being given to the welfare of doctors.
Ebong added that FCT doctors are “on the verge of extinction” due to escalating economic hardship.
“We appreciate the minister for his infrastructural development in the FCT since his emergence. But doctors are an abandoned project.
“While he fixes infrastructural abandoned projects, we are the human abandoned projects. We believe the minister can deal with the challenge,” he stated.
“The association’s demands are clear and urgent: Immediate clearance of six months’ salary arrears owed to members employed in 2023. Others include:
- Urgent payment of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Review of the bonding policy, reducing it from six years to two.
- Implementation of skipping allowances for 2023 intakes and issuance of the necessary letters.
- Payment of 2024 accoutrements allowances without delay.
- Clearing 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
- Fast-tracking the conversion of ARD Post 2 members to consultants.
- Expedited employment of healthcare workers to address crippling manpower shortages.
“This injustice is alien to the FCT; if allowed to persist, the nation’s health sector will collapse.
“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 added.