Healthcare services in the Federal Capital Territory have been crippled as the strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) entered its fifth day on Tuesday.

NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, reaffirmed in a message to Daily Trust that the strike would continue until all 19 outstanding demands are addressed.

These include unpaid arrears, the 25/35 percent CONMESS salary review, promotion and upgrade arrears, and accoutrement allowances—some pending for over five years.

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A visit to major hospitals in Abuja revealed near-empty consulting rooms and wards, with only a few nurses and consultants attending to patients.

At Wuse and Asokoro District Hospitals, patients waited for hours without seeing doctors, while others were turned back.

Ruth Onyema, whose son was suffering from malaria, said, “We’ve been here since morning, but no doctor is around. I can’t afford a private hospital.”

A nurse at Asokoro Hospital confirmed that only a handful of consultants and locum doctors were on duty. “We’re overwhelmed, and patients are getting agitated,” she said.

At Kubwa General Hospital, the usually busy emergency ward was deserted. Yakubu Isah, a patient, lamented, “I came for follow-up after surgery, but they said no doctor is around.”

At the Abaji General Hospital, the waiting area, male and female wards, orthopedic, and accident and emergency units were deserted.

Mrs. Rebecca Benjamin, a patient, said she came seeking treatment for a fever but was informed that doctors were on strike.

“I’ve been here for almost two hours hoping to see a doctor, but I was told they’re on strike. I’ll have to go to a chemist to get some drugs,” she lamented.

Similar scenes were observed at the Kwali and Kuje general hospitals, where all wards and emergency units were closed. Some patients with serious health conditions said they were unaware of the strike until they arrived for treatment.

Mrs. Abimbola Surajudeen, who brought her son for medical care, expressed frustration. “I came this morning only to be told that doctors are on strike. I now have to take him to a private clinic,” she said.

In the Gwagwalada Area Council, where there is no general hospital apart from a township clinic, medical activities were also paralyzed. Patients seeking care were turned back after being informed of the strike.

Mrs. Fatima Ibrahim, who brought her daughter from Dagiri, said she only received help from a nurse who prescribed basic medication.

Relatives of patients have urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve the impasse, saying the strike is inflicting hardship on ordinary Nigerians.