BREAKING: Doctors begin three-day warning strike, may escalate it to indefinite strike
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Resident doctors in Abuja on Wednesday began a three-day warning strike over unpaid salaries, allowances, and other demands – in an environment where government officials and lawmakers flaunt their heists from public treasury with medical tourism and celebrating their children’s education abroad.
The strike by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has grounded activities in government hospitals in the city.
ARD FCTA President George Ebong disclosed at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday that the strike is sequel to a three-week ultimatum issued last year which elapsed without positive response from the government.
Ebong decried the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in Abuja where doctors have become abandoned projects, and urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to intervene to avoid an indefinite shutdown of hospitals.
He disclosed that the decision to embark on the warning strike was taken at a congress held by ARD members on Tuesday.
“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja – from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya and all other hospitals in Abuja,” Ebong explained.
“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and dialogued on several occasions.
“They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay six months’ arrears to doctors.
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister.
“After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike.
“We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to avert an indefinite shutdown of the hospitals in Abuja.”
ARD FCTA warned last December of a shutdown over government’s failure to meet its demands.
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