Abuja Doctors Return to Work After Wike’s Intervention

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has ended its warning strike following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesome Wike.

Dr. George Ebong, President of the Association, stated on Friday that the FCTA under Wike had accepted their expectations.

On Wednesday, doctors grounded all FCTA-owned hospitals in Abuja due to unpaid arrears and other demands.

However, in a Friday update, Dr. Ebong reported that its members have begun to receive alerts about the 6-month salary arrears.

He also stated that Wike has approved and ordered the immediate payment of the accoutrement allowance, the extension of the medical residency bonding to two years, the immediate employment of doctors and allied health workers to alleviate the severe manpower shortage, and the approval and payment of locum doctors and other health workers who were owed.

Ebong therefore noted that with the intervention by Wike, doctors in the FCT are requested to resume work on Saturday, 25 January 2025.

He added that the intervention had ended the impending indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja.

Ebong, however, urged the minister to address other of its objectives to avert future strike action.

“On behalf of the executive members and the entire supreme congress of the Association of the Resident Doctors, FCTA, I, Dr. George Ebong, deeply appreciate the Honourable Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his prompt and timely intervention in meeting our demands, thereby ending our warning shutdown and averting a looming timeless shutdown.

“The Honourable Minister intervened, approved, and directed the prompt payment of the following:

The six-month arrears of the pay owed to doctors and other health professionals; the medical residency training funds (2024) that were owed; Approval for quick payment of the accoutrement allowance owing; Approval of medical residency bonding for two years; Approval for the rapid recruitment of doctors and related health workers to alleviate the critical personnel shortfall; Approval and quick payment of unpaid locum doctors and other health workers.

With the Honourable Minister’s quick action, all resident doctors are expected to return to their duties by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.

“We further humbly request that the Honourable Minister establish a mechanism to prevent a repeat of this anomaly.

“While we sincerely appreciate the Honourable Minister’s goodwill, we remain hopeful that our other demands, such as the payment of the hazard allowance, the upgrading and rehabilitation of our healthcare facilities, and the conversion of post part 2 to consultant cadre, will be addressed in due course.

“As Renewed Hope Agenda stakeholders, we are confident in your ability as the Honourable Minister to transform FCTA’s health sector into a model for others to emulate.

“Please know that we will continue to assist the implementation of this agenda.

“We hope you will visit our district hospitals soon, as we look forward to welcoming you.

“Thank you very much, our Honourable Minister; we do not take your goodwill for granted,” the press release said.