Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have challenged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to experience the conditions of public health facilities by using government hospitals in Abuja.
The doctors, currently on a three-day warning strike over unpaid salaries and allowances, argue that government officials should personally witness the challenges faced by health workers and patients in the capital’s hospitals.
“If we are serious about improving the healthcare system, every government official must use the government hospitals,” said George Ebong, President of the FCT Resident Doctors Association, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
Ebong called for action, stating, “I want to see the minister use Wuse General Hospital, the Senate President use Maitama General Hospital, and the Speaker use Iyanya General Hospital. Only then can we begin to address the system’s issues.”
The doctors’ strike, which began Wednesday, has halted activities in several government hospitals across Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and others.
The strike follows the expiration of a three-week ultimatum given to the government, citing grievances over unpaid wages and poor working conditions.
Ebong accused Wike and other government officials of neglecting healthcare in the FCT.
He acknowledged the minister’s focus on infrastructural projects like road repairs but stressed that the nation’s hospitals are in dire need of attention.
“The minister has been busy fixing roads and bridges, but our hospitals are in a deplorable state,” Ebong stated.
“We feel like the human abandoned project. No matter what infrastructure projects are undertaken, hospitals must be the first priority for improvement.”
The doctor further explained that FCT hospitals suffer from chronic issues such as inadequate electricity, a lack of medical supplies, malfunctioning diagnostic machines, and a shortage of staff.
He pointed out that some hospitals in the capital are staffed with only one doctor.
Ebong also revealed that many doctors have not been paid their salaries for up to six months despite their hard work and increased responsibilities.
He mentioned that while the minister had only met with them once, they had sent multiple letters outlining their concerns.
He criticized the bureaucratic delays preventing proper action from being taken and urged Wike to visit the hospitals and assess the current situation himself.
“We urge the minister to ensure all unpaid wages are settled and to visit the hospitals to see their condition firsthand,” Ebong said.
If no significant progress is made after the warning strike, Ebong warned that the association may resort to an indefinite shutdown, as the congress would have no choice but to escalate the protest.
