Amid growing concerns over the deteriorating state of healthcare in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has appealed to resident doctors in Abuja to end their indefinite strike, assuring swift intervention to address their demands.
At an emergency meeting on Thursday with leaders of the FCT chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the committee, chaired by Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South), acknowledged the legitimacy of the doctors’ grievances and vowed to engage directly with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He said, “We are pleading with you to return to work and give us the opportunity to mediate. I will personally take this matter up with the Minister tomorrow. Our people are suffering; we must act swiftly.”
The senator decried the impact of the strike on the public, noting that most residents of the FCT depend solely on government hospitals.
He commended the striking doctors for their resilience and patriotism in choosing to remain in the country despite worsening conditions.
The doctors, led by NARD National President Dr. Zenith Osundara, had on September 11 declared an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues and infrastructure deficits. Their demands include:
Payment of salary arrears dating back to 2023
Reversal of unexplained deductions from allowances
Proper placement of doctors who have completed specialist training but are still paid as medical officers
Provision of essential diagnostic tools such as x-ray machines and echocardiographs
Dr. Osundara told the lawmakers that the decision to strike followed repeated government failures to fulfill promises made during previous negotiations.
“Hospitals across the FCT remain under-equipped. We’ve shown goodwill in the past, but progress has stalled,” he said.
The committee expressed concern that continued neglect of medical personnel was fueling brain drain, with a senator lamenting that “nearly nine out of ten Nigerian-trained doctors are now working abroad.”
“What these doctors are asking for isn’t luxury, it’s the bare minimum. Imagine a hospital without an x-ray machine. It’s unacceptable,” another lawmaker added.
To press the matter further, the Senate Committee requested that NARD provide detailed statistics, including the number of affected personnel and the total value of outstanding allowances.
Lawmakers said this would enable them to present a stronger case to the executive arm of government.
The committee also proposed a joint session with the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat to chart a path forward and resolve the impasse.
“We can keep talking, but until both sides sit at the same table, our people will keep suffering. It’s time for action,” a senator warned.
The Senate’s intervention follows mounting public outcry over the prolonged strike and the toll it continues to take on Abuja’s overstretched public health system.
