By VERONICA DARIYA

Some residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT have decried their inability to access primary healthcare services, following a three-month strike by the council workers.

The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari on Saturday, in Abuja.

The residents appealed to the FCT administration and the council chairmen to put an end to the lingering action.

NAN reports that the joint unions of, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in March, directed its workers across the six area councils to embark on “sit-at-home”.

The action was to demand the implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage and other entitlements by the area council administrators.

The strike has resulted in the closure of primary healthcare centres and schools, significantly impacting access to essential services.

Mrs. Liyatu Adamu, a resident, said that the situation has not only left residents stranded and faced with significant economic difficulties but also hindered them from accessing proper medical assistance.

“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 the private ones because we have no money and cannot afford their services; now we are left with Over the Counter (OTC) treatment at pharmacies.

“The OTC is not cheap either,” Adamu said.

She appealed to the FCT and the council administrations to make efforts to settle the workers and prevent the residents from the negative impact of the industrial action.

Similarly, Mr. Luka Ango, another resident and civil servant said the action by the healthcare workers and other public workers in the council had affected the community significantly.

According to him, the disruption of essential health services to residents has a significant impact on the local community and it can lead to a high rate of mortality.

He added that the strike has left many families spending more to access healthcare services in the city centre.

He said: “You can see that getting treatments for common illnesses have become difficult, even maternal and child health services like antenatal care, immunisations and deliveries have been suspended.

“This is not good at all. I know that the workers are fighting for their rights, therefore, governments should do the needful so that our communities do not continue to suffer the negative impacts.”

Another resident, Mrs. Ruth Aboyi, a teacher, described the situation as unfortunate and disheartening.

She said that the action has left those suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension helpless and may worsen their condition if not properly managed.

“Patients with urgent medical needs may not receive timely care, resulting in avoidable deaths or complications.

“It has interrupted medication schedules that can lead to disease outbreaks or worsening conditions. So, they should please, consider all these and resolve the issues,” she said.

Aboyi added that nearby secondary hospitals have become overwhelmed by patients adding that remote communities without alternatives have become vulnerable.

On his part, Mr Emmanuel Ishaku, NULGE chairman, Bwari, told NAN that no positive resolve had been reached even after several meetings with stakeholders.

He, however, stated that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), FCT chapter had taken over the matter and written to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, giving him a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the matter.

He said, if nothing positive comes out within the time range, the union will not hesitate to picket the FCT Minister’s office as soon as they are directed by its leadership. (NAN)