Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike has committed to treat medical doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, with a human face in order to boost medical services in all hospitals in the city.
The Minister made the remarks during a meeting with medical unions in his office in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, over the weekend.
Wike, who was represented by Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the FCT, said the recent circular of the 8-year tenure retirement was a source of concern, but the Administration will investigate the matter thoroughly.
He stated that the eight years had an impact on more than only the medical sector.
“We have a guideline that exempted the medical doctors from the circular so we need to have a backup document to speak on the matter.
“I will have to meet with the heads of departments, stakeholders and other sectors concerning recalling the letter, and I assure you that we will do our best and come out with something good,” she said.
Earlier, Dr. Ugwuanyi Charles, Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, pleaded with the minister to look into the letter.
“The removal of some of the hospital consultants will affect the once available and cause a great burn out in our hospital.”
Dr. Musa Emmanuel, Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria (MD-CAN) FCTA branch, also indicated that the regulations were not followed correctly and that the retirement was done by persons who did not know the rules or chose to disobey them.
“The FCTA, Medical Health Care services are accessible and affordable to everyone, but the retirement will affect the sector greatly, the letter is worrisome,” he added.
The president of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) FCTA, Dr Rahmon Olayinka Sodiq, said that people from Nasarawa, Kogi and others come to FCT to access medical care centers because they believe in the FCT medical care, but who are those consultants that will be present, adding that they hope the letter will be reverted.
