Striking resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other government officials of neglecting health facilities and workers’ welfare in Abuja.
Naija News reports that the doctors began a three-day warning strike on Wednesday over unpaid salaries, and allowances, among others after the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued earlier.
The development grounded activities at government hospitals in Abuja from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and others.
The President of resident doctors in the FCT, George Ebong, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, challenged Wike, Akpabio and other governments officials to use the hospitals in the nation’s capital to feel the plight of public health workers and patients.
He said, “If we are ready to fix the healthcare system in this country, I would think that every government official must use the government hospitals. Let’s start with that,”
“I would like to see the minister use Wuse General Hospital. I would like to see the Senate President use Maitama General Hospital. I would like to see the Speaker use Iyanya General Hospital. Then, we can start to fix the system. If they don’t use it, then we can’t fix it. I’m sorry but that’s the truth.”
Ebong said Wike has abandoned health institutions in the nation’s capital with many in deplorable condition and his busy fixing roads.
He also stated that many doctors have not been paid their six months’ salaries despite working assiduously and taking on the responsibilities of four or more persons.
He added, “That’s just where we have our concerns. The minister has been very busy with projects, fixing roads, and all of that. We feel that he should also focus on the hospitals right now.
“We feel that we are the human abandoned project. No matter the things he does by fixing roads and bridges, the hospitals are the very first point of innovation and rehabilitation. They are hallowed ground; he cannot neglect them.
“For example, we don’t have electricity, sometimes you can’t run some tests over the weekend, we don’t have drugs, we don’t have scan machines working, and we don’t have enough manpower.
“When he (Wike) first became the minister that was the only time we’ve met him but we’ve met everyone that works under him. We’ve sent him a series of letters and I am sure he is aware.”
The post ‘If They Do Not Use It, Then We Can’t Fix It’ – Striking Doctors Dares Wike, Akpabio, Others To Use FCT Hospitals appeared first on Naija News.