Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) has commenced an indefinite strike over issues of unpaid salary arrears, poor welfare conditions, and the worsening state of health facilities in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was announced in a communiqué issued after an emergency general meeting held on Sunday and signed by the association’s president, Dr. George Ebong.
The strike, which officially began at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, follows the expiration of a seven-day warning strike. According to ARD-FCT, the authorities failed to address any of its demands despite repeated engagements.
Among its grievances are the immediate payment of outstanding arrears owed to doctors employed since 2023, urgent commencement of new recruitments with written assurances to conclude the process before the end of 2025, and the release of promotion timelines with arrears cleared within one month.
The association also demanded the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the stoppage of erroneous salary deductions, correction of irregular salary payments, conversion of post-part II fellows to consultant cadre within six months, and the settlement of wage award arrears for resident doctors, similar to their colleagues in federal and state hospitals.
Other demands include the release of arrears from the 25/35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to international standards, and the clearance of allowances owed to 2025 external residents.
The communique stated, “After assessing the demands earlier presented to management, congress noted with deep disappointment that none of its demands had been addressed.”
“This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system affecting the effectiveness of medical doctors to carry out care of the highest standard.”
“After the most passionate and historic deliberations in ARD-FCTA, congress shall embark on an indefinite strike action commencing 8:00 am, Monday, 15th September 2025, until government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority.”
The doctors accused Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) of abandoning the city’s health sector, warning that the strike would have severe consequences for residents relying on public hospitals.
They recalled that during the earlier warning strike, the deplorable state of facilities across FCTA hospitals, marked by poor infrastructure, shortage of equipment, and inadequate staffing, had been highlighted as critical issues threatening healthcare delivery.
