Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commenced a three-day warning strike on Wednesday over the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to colleagues employed in 2023.
At Kubwa General Hospital, patients were turned away as medical services were halted. Affected patients, including a wheelchair-bound girl accompanied by her mother, expressed frustration and urged the government to address the doctors’ grievances promptly.
The strike follows a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Association of Resident Doctors on December 23, 2024, which expired on January 6, 2025.
Demands and Warnings
The association’s president, Dr. George Ebong, outlined the doctors’ key demands, including:
- Clearing the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Issuing skipping letters and implementing skipping allowances for 2023 hires.
- Paying 2024 accouterment allowances and clearing 13 months of hazard allowance arrears.
The strike is expected to escalate into an indefinite action if the government fails to meet these demands.
Patient Reactions
Mrs. Ihiaka, whose daughter required medical attention, lamented the situation and highlighted the strain on families seeking private healthcare alternatives. She called on the FCT Minister to prioritize the health and education sectors alongside infrastructural development.
“If citizens who are supposed to benefit from these infrastructures suffer neglect in the health sector, then the core purpose of governance is undermined,” she said.
Government Response
Efforts to obtain a response from the FCT Permanent Secretary for Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, were unsuccessful as he declined to comment on the situation.
The strike underscores the challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, as doctors demand better working conditions and timely payment of entitlements.
