The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has pledged to work with relevant authorities to resolve issues behind the ongoing strike by resident doctors in Abuja.
Chairman of the committee, Senator David Jimkuta, gave the assurance after a closed-door meeting with the national and FCT leaders of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja.
Senator Jimkuta praised the doctors for adopting dialogue rather than confrontation, describing their complaints as genuine and deserving of urgent attention.
He appealed to them to exercise patience while the committee engages the FCT Minister and other stakeholders on lasting solutions.
The lawmaker noted that although he was not speaking for the minister, the matters raised were critical to the well-being of residents, adding that the minister represents the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He explained that some of the problems predated the current administration, but promised to meet the minister by Friday to discuss the issues in detail and seek an end to the strike.
National President of NARD, Dr. Osundara Tope Zenith, thanked the Senate committee for its swift response, stressing that doctors’ presence in hospitals is vital to safeguarding Nigerians’ health.
Dr. Zenith lamented the dwindling number of resident doctors in the FCT, saying only about 212 doctors now serve in 14 hospitals, averaging eight per facility.
He added that many doctors work on casual terms for years without employment, while others are owed salaries ranging from six months to a year.
He also criticised the non-payment of annual residency training funds in FCT hospitals, unlike their counterparts in federal hospitals.
On his part, FCT NARD President, Dr. George Ebong, expressed concern over the heavy workload facing doctors in understaffed facilities such as Nyanya and Abaji General Hospitals.
He highlighted poor equipment and facilities, citing Wuse District Hospital where the x-ray machine has been out of service for over three years.
Dr. Ebong further complained about shortages of reagents, consumables, and medications, which sometimes prevent hospitals from running tests or giving proper care, especially at night.
He noted that despite repeated letters to the FCT administration about these challenges, responses have been slow.
The resident doctors expressed satisfaction with the assurances from the committee and promised to relay its appeal to their members before deciding on the strike.
Bashir M
