Senate urges FCT resident doctors to end strike, promises swift intervention

The Senate Committee overseeing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on resident doctors on strike across the capital to halt their ongoing work stoppage, pledging direct engagement with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their concerns.

At an emergency meeting held yesterday with leaders of the FCT chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), chairman Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South) acknowledged the legitimacy of the doctors’ grievances and assured prompt dialogue with related authorities.

Jimkuta urged the grieved doctors to return to their respective duties and allow the Senate committee to mediate. He added that he will personally discuss the matter with the Minister tomorrow.
He outlined the severe impact of the strike on patients, many of whom rely exclusively on public healthcare in the capital. Praising the doctors for their dedication despite difficult conditions, the senator noted their genuine demands to improve the nation’s fragile health system, not for personal gain.

The FCT branch of NARD commenced an indefinite strike last week over unresolved welfare concerns and infrastructural deficiencies. Their key requests include settling salary arrears dating back to 2023, reversing unexplained allowance deductions, proper promotion of qualified specialists still remunerated as medical officers, and provision of essential diagnostic equipment such as x-ray machines and echocardiographs.

Dr. Zenith Osundara, NARD’s National President leading the delegation, told senators that it was because of the government failure to fulfill earlier promises, that left the doctors with no option but to resume industrial action. Osundara emphasized that under-equipped hospitals are putting patients at risk and increasing pressure on medical staff.

NARD explained that previous strike suspensions were made in good faith to enable talks, but little progress has followed. This impasse contributes to growing frustration among healthcare workers and worsens the brain drain in the sector.

The Senate Committee requested detailed data from the medical practitioners, including numbers of affected staff and the total unpaid allowances, to strengthen their appeal to the executive branch.