Some residents of Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have decried their inability to access primary healthcare services following a three-month strike by council workers.
The residents made their concerns known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari on Saturday. They appealed to the FCT administration and the council chairmen to bring the lingering strike to an end.
NAN reports that the joint unions – the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees – had, in March, directed workers across the six area councils to embark on a sit-at-home strike.
The action is in demand for the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage and other entitlements by the area council administrators.
The strike has led to the shutdown of primary healthcare centres and schools, significantly affecting access to essential services.
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Mrs. Liyatu Adamu, a resident, said the situation had left residents stranded and facing economic difficulties, while also hindering access to proper medical attention.
“My two children have been ill for over two weeks now. Usually, I would have rushed them to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in our area for treatment, but with the strike, that is not possible.
“We cannot afford to go to big hospitals or private ones because we have no money. Now we are left with over-the-counter treatment at pharmacies, which is not cheap either,” she said.
She appealed to the FCT and council authorities to settle with the workers to end the strike and minimize its impact on residents.
Mr. Luka Ango, another resident and civil servant, said the absence of healthcare workers had significantly disrupted the community.
“This disruption of essential health services affects our entire community and could lead to a higher mortality rate.
“Even maternal and child health services like antenatal care, immunisations, and deliveries have been suspended,” he added.
Mrs. Ruth Aboyi, a teacher, described the situation as “unfortunate and disheartening.”
“People with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension are helpless. Without medication, their conditions will worsen,” she warned.
She added that secondary hospitals nearby are now overwhelmed, and remote communities without alternatives have become vulnerable.
On his part, Mr. Emmanuel Ishaku, NULGE Chairman, Bwari, told NAN that no resolution had been reached despite multiple meetings with stakeholders.
He confirmed that the Nigeria Labour Congress, FCT chapter, had taken over the matter and written to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, with a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the crisis.
“If nothing positive comes out within that time, the union will picket the FCT Minister’s office once directed by its leadership,” he said.
NAN
