The indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has crippled activities in major public hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving patients and caregivers stranded and frustrated.
Visits by The Guardian to the National Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, revealed that most wards, especially emergency units, were discharging patients due to the absence of doctors, forcing many to seek care at private facilities.With pain and despair written on their faces, several patients lamented the disruption of their treatments.
They appealed to the Federal Government to urgently address the demands of the striking doctors and tackle the root causes of incessant industrial actions in the health sector.
Despite the government’s promise to release N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowance, the resident doctors have vowed to continue the strike until all their 19-point demands are met.Responding to an enquiry by the Guardian on whether the association was considering calling off the strike in light of government’s latest move, NARD spokesperson, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, said: “We have 19 demands; that is the minimum threshold.
”When asked if the strike would continue until all demands were met, he replied emphatically: “Yes.”At FMC Jabi, patients in the emergency unit were seen being discharged due to the unavailability of doctors.An accident victim with multiple injuries was being carried out of the hospital by relatives in a golf cart.
When asked why they were taking him home despite his critical condition, one of them said simply: “The doctors are on strike.”A nurse on duty at the hospital confirmed the dire situation, noting that only minimal care was being provided.“The doctors are not around; the consultants are not around.
We are stabilising patients and referring critical cases to private hospitals. When I resumed duty this morning, there were 11 patients. We have discharged four, referred some, and one signed against medical advice.
This strike is really serious—government should listen to the doctors,” she said.At the Radiology Unit, two patients were denied service by the staff on duty, who explained that only emergency cases could be handled.
“Your case is not an emergency. The doctors who are supposed to do the scan are on strike, so we can’t see you today,” he told one of the patients.Eucharia Omen, who came with her aged mother referred from a hospital in Orozo, said they were turned back because of the strike.“My mother is in severe pain, but we were told doctors are not available.
A staff member gave me a form to fill so we can get a hospital card and maybe be seen at the emergency unit,” she said.At the National Hospital, a police officer recuperating in the emergency ward pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene urgently.
He was shot in the leg during a gun battle with criminals while on duty and now requires two major surgeries.
“The CT scan and X-ray have been reviewed, but no doctors are available to operate. My leg is swollen because one of the veins was cut, and I also have a fracture.
The nurses give me minor medication, but I can’t sleep due to the pain.
The government should please consider the plight of Nigerians suffering like me,” he said.
An intern at the Surgical and Medical Emergency Unit of the hospital told The Guardian that only critical emergency cases were being admitted, noting that consultants were merely on call.
“The unit looks deserted because patients already know the doctors are on strike,” he added.The ongoing strike has once again exposed the fragile state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, with patients bearing the brunt of the standoff between the government and medical professionals.
