FCT resident doctors begin indefinite strike over unmet demands

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike over the government’s failure to address longstanding welfare and systemic issues.

The ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, announced the measure in a communiqué at the end of the association’s emergency congress on Sunday.

The latest strike followed the expiration of a seven-day warning strike, which ended after the congress.

The association, which comprises doctors across the FCTA’s 14 districts and general hospitals as well as the Department of Public Health, expressed disappointment that none of its earlier demands had been met despite months of negotiation.

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“This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system, affecting the ability of doctors to deliver care at the highest standard,” the communique stated.

Key demands include the payment of salary arrears—ranging from one to six months—owed to doctors employed since 2023, immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and implementation of arrears from the 25–35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review.

The doctors also demanded timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes, correction of erroneous salary deductions, resolution of irregular salary payments, and conversion of post-Part II Fellows to consultant status within six months of qualification. Additional requests cover wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals, hazard allowance arrears, and unpaid salaries of external residents who are currently owed three to four months’ wages.