PHOTO FILE: Nigerian Senate Chamber

The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has appealed to members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), FCT chapter, to immediately suspend their ongoing strike.

At an emergency meeting on Thursday, the committee — chaired by Senator David Jimkuta (Taraba South) — met with the leadership of the striking doctors and pledged to urgently engage with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to address their demands.

Senator Jimkuta acknowledged the strike’s toll on healthcare delivery in the territory, urging the doctors to resume duty while negotiations continue.

“We are pleading with you, please return to work and continue saving lives. I will personally meet with the Minister tomorrow. I am confident that something concrete will come out of it,” he said.

He commended the doctors for what he described as a selfless fight, stressing that their demands aim to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system rather than serve personal interests.

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

The committee also called for a joint session involving the National Assembly, the FCT health administration, and representatives of the resident doctors to facilitate direct negotiations and find a lasting solution.