Senate Urges Striking FCT Resident Doctors to Resume Work, Vows to Meet Wike Over Demands

The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has appealed to resident doctors in the FCT to end their ongoing strike and return to work immediately.

During an emergency meeting held Thursday, the committee—led by Chairman Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South)—met with leaders of the FCT chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), assuring them that their grievances are being taken seriously.

Senator Jimkuta pledged to meet directly with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to push for a resolution, stating, “We are pleading with you—please return to work and continue saving lives. I will personally meet with the Minister tomorrow, and I believe something concrete will come out of it. We cannot stand by while people die.”

He acknowledged the toll the strike has taken on healthcare delivery across the territory and commended the doctors for what he described as a “selfless” fight aimed at improving the nation’s healthcare system, rather than for personal gain.

The FCT chapter of NARD declared an indefinite strike last week over unresolved issues, including unpaid salary arrears dating back to 2023, unexplained deductions from allowances, and the failure to upgrade resident doctors who have completed specialist training but are still being paid as medical officers.

To resolve the crisis, the Senate committee called for a joint negotiation session involving the National Assembly, the FCT health administration, and representatives of the striking doctors.