Garba Mohammed
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) on Monday began an indefinite strike after months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.
The action was announced in a communiqué issued by ARD-FCTA, signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong. The indefinite strike followed a seven-day warning strike that ended on Sunday after an emergency general meeting.
ARD-FCTA comprises doctors practising in the 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, as well as the Department of Public Health. The doctors said their decision stemmed from the government’s failure to meet any of their demands.
“This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system affecting the effectiveness of medical doctors in order to carry out care in the highest standard,” the communiqué stated.
The striking doctors are demanding the payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to members employed since 2023. They are also calling for the immediate recruitment of new staff to ease manpower shortages, as well as the settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund. In addition, they want the payment of arrears arising from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes for all members, along with the settlement of accumulated arrears.
The association also urged the government to correct continuous erroneous deductions from members’ salaries and to regularise the irregular and erratic salary payment pattern. Other demands include the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing, timely promotion exercises with arrears fully paid, the payment of outstanding wage award arrears and hazard allowances, as well as the renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards. They further demanded the payment of arrears owed to newly employed external residents, who are currently owed three to four months’ salaries.
After what it described as “the most passionate and historic deliberations,” ARD-FCTA resolved that the strike would continue until the government demonstrated genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority.
“Congress unanimously resolved that Congress shall embark on an indefinite strike action commencing 8:00 a.m., Monday, 15th September 2025, until the government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority. We do hope that the management will do the urgent needful to meet all of our demands for the sake of our patients and ourselves,” the statement added.