By Steven Atokolo
The Senate has waded into the industrial actions by National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), promising to meet the FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike for amicable resolution of the issues in dispute.
The FCT resident doctors declared an indefinite strike last Monday over unresolved welfare and infrastructure concerns.
Chief among their demands are payment of salary arrears dating back to 2023, restoration of deducted allowances without explanation, and immediate upgrading of qualified doctors still being paid as medical officers despite completing specialist training years ago.
The doctors also cited poor working conditions, including the absence of basic diagnostic equipment such as x-ray machines and echocardiographs in public hospitals, which they said undermined patient care and placed undue strain on medical staff.
They accused the government of reneging on promises made after previous strike actions earlier in the year.
According to the association, the current strike is the third one this year and earlier suspensions of industrial actions in January and March were done in good faith to allow negotiations, but most of the commitments made were yet to be fulfilled.
The cumulative effect has been growing frustration among medical workers and an increase in the rate of “japa” — the exodus of Nigerian health professionals abroad.
Therefore, the Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters on Thursday held a crucial meeting with the aggrieved doctors and begged them to suspend their ongoing industrial action as it promised to take their demands to the FCT Minister, Nysome Wike.
Members of the committee led by the Chairman, Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South) assured the striking workers that their demands would be urgently looked into as they have already contacted the FCT Minister.
Specifically, the Chairman of the committee said the strike was taking a heavy toll on patients and pleaded that doctors return to their duty posts while negotiations continue.
He assured the doctors that the committee would immediately engage the FCT Minister and the management of the territory’s health services to secure firm commitments on their demands.
“We are pleading with you. Continue to save lives. Call off this strike. Give us the opportunity.
“I will take up this matter personally with the Minister latest tomorrow, I will see him. I believe something concrete will happen because we cannot allow our people to keep dying while doctors are on strike”, he said.
He described the grievances of the resident doctors as “selfless” and aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system rather than narrow professional benefits.
He noted that while many doctors had left the country in search of better opportunities abroad, those who remained were only asking for basic remuneration, improved conditions of service and working equipment.
Medical experts estimate that nearly nine out of ten doctors trained in Nigeria now practice outside the country, leaving local hospitals dangerously understaffed.
Members of the Senate Health Committee took turns to express sympathy with the doctors, acknowledging that their concerns reflected the dire realities across Nigeria’s health sector.
