The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the country’s deteriorating health sector, cautioning that persistent neglect could lead to a complete breakdown of the system.
The warning came at the close of its 3rd Quarter Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held in Abuja, where the association highlighted critical challenges such as inadequate staffing, dysfunctional equipment, poor working conditions, and delayed payment of allowances.
Speaking at the meeting, the FCT President of the association, Dr. George Ebong, alongside other executive members, described the FCT’s healthcare delivery as suffering from long-term systemic collapse that requires immediate and comprehensive reforms.
He lamented that doctors in the FCT are being overstretched, often managing multiple departments at once. Ebong urged the FCT Administration to prioritize investment in healthcare manpower, recalling that the last significant recruitment drive was in 2011. Since then, he explained, several doctors have exited the service due to retirement, death, or migration, without replacements being made.
The association also expressed frustration over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and inadequate remuneration for staff who had been promoted. According to them, such lapses have weakened morale among healthcare workers and further strained service delivery.
Ebong insisted that any reform efforts must include inputs from frontline health professionals to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
To emphasize its demand, the association gave the FCT Administration a one-week deadline to take meaningful action, particularly on recruitment and welfare, warning that failure to act would trigger a one-week warning strike.
In response, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, assured that the current administration, led by the FCT Minister, is committed to improving healthcare delivery across the territory. She revealed that appointment letters for 60 house officers, 70 pharmacists, and 60 laboratory scientists would soon be distributed to strengthen the workforce.
What you should know
The Association of Resident Doctors, FCT, is one of the key professional bodies advocating for better healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s capital.
Its concerns highlight the pressing issues of manpower shortages, poor infrastructure, and weak welfare systems within the health sector.
The one-week ultimatum indicates growing tension in the system and underscores the urgency for reforms to avert a looming strike.
