The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on the government to urgently address escalating challenges in the FCT health sector, warning that continued neglect could lead to systemic collapse.
Speaking after the association's 3rd Quarter Ordinary General Meeting on Thursday night in Abuja, ARD-FCT President Dr. George Ebong, alongside other executive members, described the territory's healthcare system as suffering from a long-standing systemic failure that requires comprehensive and immediate reform.
"Our hospitals are not even 20th-century compliant. X-ray machines have been non-functional for years. Dialysis patients are turned away due to consumable shortages, and even the few working machines frequently break down," Ebong lamented.
He highlighted severe challenges, including manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid allowances.
According to Ebong, doctors are under immense pressure, often covering multiple departments due to inadequate staffing.
"Some colleagues are so overwhelmed that they rely on antidepressants just to stay functional," he said.
The association urged the FCT Administration to prioritize healthcare workforce development, noting that since the last major recruitment in 2011, many doctors have left through retirement, death, or emigration without replacement.
"In some hospitals, one doctor handles up to 60 patients overnight. This situation is neither safe for patients nor sustainable for healthcare workers," Ebong warned.
ARD-FCT also raised concerns about unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and underpayment of promoted staff, calling on the government to act swiftly to boost morale and restore efficiency.
Ebong further emphasized the need for inclusive decision-making, urging authorities to involve frontline health professionals when allocating funds and setting priorities:
"We cannot give our best while working under these conditions. Doctors are human too. Our ability to care for others depends on the system supporting us in return."
To underscore the urgency, the association issued a one-week ultimatum for the FCT Administration to begin meaningful reforms, especially regarding staffing and welfare, warning of a one-week warning strike if their demands are not met.
Responding during the meeting, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, assured that the FCT Minister's administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare delivery across the capital.