The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) on Wednesday confirmed the partial payment of salary arrears and the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) by the FCT Administration. Still, it maintained that its indefinite strike would continue until all outstanding demands are met.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, the association said the payments mark the beginning of the implementation of its demands, though several doctors were still left out of the recent disbursements.
The statement noted that 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears for periods ranging from one month to one year were paid two nights ago.
The association, however, explained that the Medical Residency Training Fund payment was not made to all affected doctors, leaving 47 others still awaiting their entitlements.
It added that salaries for October were also paid on Tuesday.
The ARD-FCTA is an association of doctors practising in the 14 district and general hospitals, including the Department of Public Health under the FCTA.
The ARD-FCTA began its strike on Saturday following the announcement by its national body, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, to commence an indefinite and total strike on the same date.
The doctors embarked on the industrial action to press home their demands for better working conditions, improved welfare, fair remuneration, and others.
Giving details of the government’s response to their demands, the doctors said, “Two nights ago, the 28 doctors who had been owed their salary arrears for more than two years, ranging from one month to six months to one year, were paid.
“Also, the MRTF of some doctors was also paid. Out of 150 doctors owed the MRTF, only 103 were paid; there is a remainder of 47 doctors not yet paid. Salaries were also paid yesterday (Tuesday), starting from the morning.”
While the association expressed gratitude to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for what it described as the beginning of the implementation of demands, it insisted that the indefinite strike would continue until all outstanding issues are resolved.
“Our demands are not exclusive of the immediate payment of the rest 47 doctors of their MRTF as time is running out for their trainings and exams; the immediate payment of the external resident doctors owed six to seven months since they got employed as some have resigned and left due to lack of funds to commute themselves to work; the skipping of arrears that have lingered for years, the promotion arrears that have left lingered for years.
“The Post-Part 2 conversion arrears that have lingered for years; the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure 25-35 per cent adjustment that the Federal Institutions have implemented since; wage award; hazard allowance arrears of 13 months since 2021; the immediate employment; and favourable working conditions, among others.
“These demands are very pertinent to this strike and are also the prerequisite to the suspension of this strike, both at the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ level and also at ARD-FCTA.
“While we are grateful for the dialogues that we have been involved in at the National Assembly and the FCTA management, we hope to find a lasting solution to the lamentable situation of our healthcare system,” the statement highlighted.
The doctors urged the government not to always wait for a strike before addressing workers’ grievances.
“Finally, the management and the government should not always wait for a strike to occur before scampering to listen to our yearnings.
“Our sincere appreciation once more to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his leadership and commitment to our country as we continue to work together to ensure that we continue our commitment to the welfare of our patients, while we, as health professionals, are not neglected again.
“However, the indefinite strike continues until other of our demands are met,” it added.
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