Resident doctors in FCT give govt one-week ultimatum to address health challenges

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the rising challenges in the health sector, warning that continued neglect could lead to systemic collapse.

The doctors were particularly concerned about the Federal Capital Territory’s health system, which they describe as a “long-standing systemic failure” requiring comprehensive and immediate reform.

At the end of its 3rd quarter’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), in Abuja, the association advised urgent intervention in areas like manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid staff allowances.

The FCT President of the association, Dr.  George Ebong, joined by other executive members, described the FCT health system as a long-standing systemic failure requiring comprehensive and immediate reform.

Dr. Ebkng also stressed that doctors in the FCT were under immense pressure, frequently covering multiple departments.

Being further highlighted the need for urgent recruitment to address staffing gaps, noting that the last major recruitment was in 2011 and many doctors have since left due to retirement, death, or emigration.

The association pointed out that hospitals lacked functional equipment, citing non-working X-ray machines and dialysis machines that frequently break down.

Doctors are overworked, often covering multiple departments, which has led some to rely on antidepressants to cope with the mental and physical overload.

The association raised concerns over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and underpayment of promoted staff, urging the government to act swiftly to boost healthcare worker morale.

Meanwhile, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, assured that the FCT Minister’s administration was committed to strengthening healthcare delivery across the capital.

She announced that appointment letters for 60 house officers, 70 pharmacists, and 60 lab scientists would soon be issued.

The ARD-FCT has given the FCT administration a one-week deadline to begin meaningful reforms, especially on staffing and welfare.

If the demands were not met, the doctors have threatened to embark on a one-week warning strike.