By Aderogba George
THE ASSOCIATION of Resident Doctors (ARD) Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has expressed concern over the poor working condition and dilapidated infrastructure in hospitals across the nation’s capital.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the association’s president, Dr George Ebong, announced the commencement of a three-day warning strike.
He described Wuse General Hospital as ‘an abandoned facility’, calling it a symbol of the neglect affecting healthcare facilities in the FCT.
Ebong explained that the strike followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum, as well as an additional two-week extension granted to the FCTA management to address the association’s demands.
“The emergency general congress of ARD-FCTA convened on Tuesday, January 21, to discuss the various resolutions contained in the 21-day ultimatum paper.
“The congress deemed it fit to commence a warning strike after the refusal of the FCTA management to respond to the association’s demands”.
He expressed the association’s displeasure over several unresolved issues, including the non-payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months for members employed in 2023.
“The congress noted with dismay the non-payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to members employed in 2023.
“Despite extensive engagements with management on the issue, it had failed to listen, and the issue had brought untold hardship to members of the association, and this had continued”.
He further stated that the congress was dissatisfied with the non-payment of the 25 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears from July 2023 to April 2024 for members employed in 2023.
This benefit, he added, had already been implemented for other healthcare workers.
According to Ebong, the congress also noted the delay in disbursing the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
“The congress is astonished that in spite of various assurances by the management, the Medical Residency Training Fund of 2024 has still remained unpaid, even with assurance from management that approval has been given to 52 resident doctors out of the 75 eligible ones,” he said.
The association lamented that this delay had caused severe distress among members, many of whom had taken loans to pay for exams, update courses, and other expenses.
Other grievances raised by the congress included the non-payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, which was expected to be disbursed in October 2024.
“The congress also expressed profound dismay at the prolonged bonding period for resident doctors, with our members who were expected to be bonded for six years after residency training”.
He also noted the lack of progress in implementing the skipping policy for members employed in 2023 and expressed displeasure at the unpaid 13 months of hazard allowance arrears.
“The congress expressed her displeasure regarding the unpaid 13 months hazard allowance arrears and the lack of any significant progress made in this regard,” he added.
The association further criticised the delays in advancing members who had passed their part two fellowship exams to consultant cadre, as well as the slow recruitment of healthcare workers into residency programmes.
As part of its demands, ARD-FCTA called for the immediate payment of salary arrears, CONMESS arrears, the 2024 MRTF, and the accoutrement allowance.
It also urged the FCTA management to reduce the bonding period for resident doctors to two years, implement the skipping policy, and address the outstanding hazard allowance arrears.
Ebong urged the management to expedite the employment of healthcare workers and advance post-part two members to the consultant cadre.
He warned that failure to address these issues would worsen the challenges facing healthcare delivery in the FCT. (NAN)
