A potential healthcare crisis is brewing across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As doctors under the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), FCT chapter, have issued a strong warning over unresolved welfare and infrastructure issues.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Okoreaffia Ogbonnaya. The association expressed grave concern over the non-implementation of the approved N70,000 national minimum wage. Despite its ratification by the Federal Government in July 2024.
The doctors, alongside other health workers, continue to face harsh working conditions, inadequate facilities, and unpaid entitlements. All of which are said to have significantly affected morale and service delivery.
Furthermore, it was noted that health infrastructure across the area councils remains severely dilapidated, with a lack of essential medical equipment and poor staffing. These deficiencies have not only endangered the lives of patients but have also placed frontline healthcare workers at high risk.
The association criticized the persistent neglect of timely promotions, wage allowances, bonuses, and pension remittances. Describing the situation as a pattern of insensitivity by the Area Council leadership. This systemic failure is feared to be threatening the efforts of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to curb maternal and infant mortality rates.
NAGGMDP has now issued a two-week ultimatum,. Warning that failure to meet their demands will lead to an emergency State Executive Committee meeting. With the possibility of escalating industrial action across both secondary and tertiary healthcare levels.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the FCT ALGON and Kwali Area Council, Chiya Danladi, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered. As tensions rise, swift action has been urged to avoid a full-blown healthcare breakdown in Nigeria’s capital.
