The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has called off its warning strike following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement released late Friday, the association’s president, Dr. George Ebong, confirmed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under Wike’s leadership, has addressed their demands.

The strike, which began on Wednesday, disrupted operations across FCTA-owned hospitals in Abuja, with doctors protesting unpaid salary arrears and other grievances. However, Dr. Ebong announced that members have started receiving alerts for their six-month salary arrears.

According to Ebong, the minister approved several key measures, including:

• Immediate payment of the accoutrement allowance owed to doctors.
• Reduction of the medical residency bonding to two years.
• Immediate employment of doctors and allied health workers to address the severe manpower shortage.
• Payment of locum doctors and other health workers owed salaries.

“With the Honourable Minister’s intervention, all doctors in the FCT are to resume work today, Saturday, 25 January 2025,” Ebong stated, noting that the prompt actions have averted the looming indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja.

Despite the resolution, Ebong called on the minister to address other pending issues to prevent future industrial actions.

“On behalf of the executive members and the entire supreme congress of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA, I, Dr. George Ebong, deeply appreciate the Honourable Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his prompt and timely intervention in meeting our demands, thereby ending our warning shutdown and averting a looming timeless shutdown,” he said.

Ebong listed additional measures implemented by Wike, including the approval of the Medical Residency Training Funds for 2024 and the rehabilitation of healthcare facilities. He urged the minister to implement mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

He also appealed for the resolution of remaining demands, such as payment of the hazard allowance, upgrading healthcare facilities, and conversion of post-part 2 doctors to consultant cadre.

“As stakeholders in the Renewed Hope Agenda, we strongly believe in your capacity to transform the FCTA health sector into a reference point for others,” Ebong added.

The association expressed readiness to support the minister’s efforts and invited him to visit district hospitals soon.