The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory has issued an ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, demanding that their outstanding issues be resolved within 14 days or they will embark on what they describe as the “deadliest shutdown” of hospitals in the capital.
Dr. George Ebong, the President of ARD, made the announcement during a press conference at Wuse District Hospital in Abuja.
While he commended the minister for his infrastructural projects in Abuja, he emphasized the urgent need to address the well-being of doctors who are facing economic hardship.
Dr. Ebong stated, “First we have to appreciate the minister for his infrastructural development in the FCT since his emergence. We want him to know that doctors is an abandoned project. While he fixes the infrastructural abandoned project, we are the human abandoned projects. We believe the minister can deal with the challenge.”
The doctors are demanding the payment of six months of salary arrears owed to their members employed in 2023, the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund for 2024, and a review of the bonding policy to two years instead of six.
They are also calling for the implementation of skipping allowances and the issuance of skipping letters to their members employed in 2023, as well as the immediate payment of accoutrements allowance for 2024.
Dr. Ebong warned that the health sector in the nation’s capital could collapse and lead to loss of life if their demands are not met within 14 days.
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