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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to resident doctors in Abuja regarding their threat of going on strike.
Wike has emphatically stated that he will not provide payment to FCT medical doctors who decide to engage in a strike. Furthermore, should they persist in pushing this matter, he will take legal action against them.
He has also conveyed to the resident doctors that their industrial action would result in cost savings for the FCT. Wike stated, “Make your recommendations, and we will consider those within our capacity. Refrain from using strikes as a bargaining tool, as I am not receptive to such tactics. Going on strike may save you some time, but it will not result in compensation. We will address these matters through legal channels.”
Wike emphasized the importance of practical solutions over mere promises, asserting, “It’s not about making commitments but dealing with the existing realities. I am more inclined toward practicality than theory.”
In recent times, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has intermittently resorted to industrial actions due to the Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands. These demands encompass various issues, including the immediate disbursement of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), concrete steps toward an “upward review” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the settlement of salary arrears dating back to 2015.
The doctors are also advocating for the swift recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles that hinder the immediate replacement of doctors and nurses who have ceased working or have traveled abroad.
