Senate Committee Intervenes in FCT Doctors’ Strike, Seeks Urgent Meeting With Wike

The Senate Committee on Health has pledged to urgently engage with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in a bid to resolve the ongoing strike by resident doctors in Abuja.

At an emergency meeting held on Thursday, the committee, led by Chairman Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South), met with the leadership of the striking doctors and assured them that their grievances were being taken seriously.

Jimkuta acknowledged the devastating impact of the strike on healthcare delivery in the FCT and appealed to the doctors to return to work while talks continue.

“We are pleading with you, please return to work and continue saving lives. I will personally meet with the Minister tomorrow. I am confident that something concrete will come out of it. We cannot stand by while people die because doctors are on strike,” he said.

The senator commended the doctors for what he described as a selfless fight, stressing that their demands were geared towards strengthening Nigeria’s collapsing healthcare system rather than personal gain.

The FCT chapter of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared an indefinite strike last week over unpaid salary arrears dating back to 2023, unexplained deductions from allowances, and the failure to upgrade qualified doctors who have completed specialist training but remain on medical officer salaries.

To fast-track resolution, the committee also recommended a joint session involving the National Assembly, the FCT health administration, and representatives of the resident doctors to enable direct negotiations and find a lasting solution.