Aigbovo stated that the association had earlier issued warnings and ultimatums to alert FCT authority to the non-payment of their salaries, adding that the authorities ignored the warnings.

According to him, there have been irregularities in salary payment and shortfalls since the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) was introduced by the Federal Capital Territory Authority.

He said that since the implementation of the IPPIS, the union had given several ultimatums to the FCTA, but the authorities turned deaf ears to their plight, thereby pushing their members into financial stress.

The ARD president however, warned that other health workers affected by the implementation of the IPPIS would join the mass action within 48 hours if their demands were not met.

Meanwhile, a medical doctor with the Asokoro General Hospital, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that they are not willing to sacrifice their lives the way the late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh did during the Ebola crisis in Nigeria.

The doctor said doctors in FCT hospitals lack the necessary tools to protect themselves from the dreaded coronavirus disease.

She said that “we lack adequate protection and protocols to allow us to safely care for infected patients. The country’s hospitals are woefully unprepared to handle the crisis. We are not going to risk our lives for nothing.

“Look at Dr. Stella Adedevoh that sacrificed her life. No one remembers her. We were all aware of the pains she underwent before dying. I am not willing to die like her because there is no one that will take care of my children.

“Until the government recognizes our importance by creating a good working atmosphere as well as taking care of our welfare, this is how it will continue.’’

source: DailyTimes