A cancer patient currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, has issued a public appeal to the Federal Government, drawing attention to the difficult conditions facing both patients and health workers during the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike.
In a recent video, posted on her TikTok account @ kate_the_socialista , she highlighted the poor state of public healthcare facilities and the strain placed on medical personnel who continue working despite being owed salaries and operating in severely under equipped environments.
She noted that the medical team managing her treatment including Dr. Popola, Matron Mark, Dr. Adamu, Nurse Vivian, and Nurse Ruth remain dedicated and professional. However, she emphasized the lack of support for these workers, many of whom attend to patients with limited resources and without regular payment.
Her account described FMC Jabi’s oncology unit as extremely small, accommodating several staff members at once while also serving as the consultation room for patients. Waiting areas, she explained, are confined to open corridors where patients are exposed to harsh weather conditions while waiting to see their doctors.
The challenges extend to treatment spaces as well. Until recently, the facility had no designated ward for chemotherapy, leaving staff to search various wards for empty beds before patients could receive treatment. A small hall has now been assigned, but it remains inadequate for the volume of patients requiring care.
She also drew attention to the financial burden placed on patients, noting that treatment costs remain high despite the poor infrastructure and the unpaid status of many medical workers.
She called on the Federal Government to settle outstanding salaries, improve welfare for doctors, and upgrade the country’s medical facilities. She stressed that patients are already paying heavily for healthcare yet often lack access to qualified personnel because of ongoing strikes and poor working conditions.
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