Patients groan amid health workers’ strike in FCT

Patients have been groaning amid the ongoing strike embarked by workers of the Primary Healthcare Centres in the six area councils of the FCT. City & Crime earlier reported that the health workers under the banner of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) embarked on a strike on January 11, 2024, over non- […]

Patients have been groaning amid the ongoing strike embarked by workers of the Primary Healthcare Centres in the six area councils of the FCT.

City & Crime earlier reported that the health workers under the banner of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) embarked on a strike on January 11, 2024, over non- payment of their arrears and other allowances by the six area council chairmen.

Our reporter, who visited some of the PHCs in the area councils, observed that both health personnel and other staff were not at centres.

At the Abaji township PHC on Tuesday, it was observed that the main gate was under lock and key, even though a small gate was open and some medical personnel were seen at the centre which had empty bed spaces.

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A woman, Zuwaira Adamu, said, “I came with a patient to the centre but was told that the workers are on strike. I have to proceed to the general hospital with my patient.”

She added that, “As I am going to the general hospital, I have to go and pay for a new folder which will cost me N1,000.”

A medical personnel at the centre, who preferred anonymity, told our reporter that the centre was not attending to patients due to the strike as directed by the union’s executives.

He further said, “however, we do carry out skeletal services, even as that woman you saw who came with a patient, her own case required admission, which was why we asked her to go to the general hospital.”

At the Kwali township PHC, it was also under lock and key. A security guard, simply identified as Gabriel, told our reporter that, “Since the health workers embarked on a strike the centre has been locked. Patients who come here turn back and proceed to the general hospital.”

A staff of the centre, Josephine Ayuba, who spoke with our reporter, said the health workers decided to embark on the strike as a result of non-payment of their arrears and other allowances.

Mrs Gladys Benjamin, a patient’s relation, who was seen coming out from a private clinic, (Rhema Clinic) in the area, expressed concern over the strike.

She said, “I had to convey my daughter to Rhema Clinic; which is quite unfortunate because everyone knows how expensive it is when going to seek medical treatment in a private facility.”

At the Kuje township PHC, the situation was the same as the centre was partially locked and a few patients were seen being attended to by health workers.

A female staff of the centre, simply identified as Judith, said the center attended mostly to nursing mothers and pregnant women.

Similarly, a PHC in New Kutunku in Gwagwalada Area Council was deserted.