Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) breathed a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday as doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FCTA Chapter, suspended a 3-day warning strike that began earlier in the day.
The doctors, alongside other healthcare professionals across FCT general hospitals, district hospitals, and the Department of Public Health, downed tools in protest against what they described as the arbitrary dismissal of 127 of their colleagues by the FCT Civil Service Commission.
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In a communique issued after an emergency meeting, the Association stated that the affected workers were wrongly labeled as abscondees and removed from the federal payment platform in April, allegedly without the involvement of the FCT Health Management Board or relevant professional bodies.
“The immediate resignation of the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission is necessary,” the statement read, accusing him of undermining staff welfare and administrative processes.
The Association also demanded a public disclaimer from the Hospital Management Board confirming that the affected workers are legitimate staff who have continued to fulfill their duties diligently.
While announcing the suspension of the warning strike, the doctors cited the need to give FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, time to intervene and resolve the crisis amicably.
“We wish to sincerely appreciate the Honourable Minister for his transformative efforts in FCT infrastructure and urge that the same energy be directed to resolving pressing issues in the health sector,” the communique added.
They also applauded Wike for approving the recruitment of 315 healthcare workers but expressed concern that the process has yet to be implemented.
The strike suspension comes as a welcome development for residents still recovering from the impact of a recent industrial action by primary health workers in the six FCT area councils.
Stakeholders now look to the FCTA to act swiftly to prevent another shutdown in the critical health sector.
