Wike: Revised Public Service Rule Impacting Medical Sector in FCT

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has decried the effect of the Revised Public Service Rule on the medical sectors in the FCT.
He voiced the concern over the weekend, during a meeting with medical unions in his office.
The key feature of the revised rule was eight-year tenure policy for directors of federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Wike, who was represented at the meeting by the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the recent circular described the eight-year tenure retirement as an issue of concern while adding the administration would study the matter carefully.

“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,” he said.

The minister promised to treat medical doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) with human face to strengthen medical services in all the hospitals.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter Dr. Ugwuanyi Charles, pleaded with the minister to look into the letter.

“The removal of some of the hospital consultants will affect the ones available and cause a great burn out in our hospital,” he said.
Also, the Chairman Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria (MD-CAN) FCTA chapter, Dr. Musa Emmanuel, stated that the rule was not followed accordingly saying the retirement was done by people who do not know the rules or choose to ignore 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 people from Nasarawa, Kogi and other states come to the FCT to access medical care because they believe in the FCT medical care, “but who are those consultants that will be present? We hope that the letter will be reverted.”