The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike following unresolved negotiations with the government.
The move was confirmed in a communique signed by the ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, after an emergency general meeting on Sunday.
The strike action follows a seven-day warning strike that ended without progress. The association represents doctors working in the 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, as well as the Department of Public Health.
According to the communique, the Congress expressed 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 the medical doctors in order to carry out care in the highest standard,” it stated.
The association is pressing for:
- Payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to members employed since 2023.
- Immediate recruitment of new staff.
- Release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Payment of arrears from the 25–35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
- Clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes.
- Settlement of accumulated arrears and correction of erroneous salary deductions.
- Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre within six months of passing.
- Timely promotion exercises with arrears fully paid.
- Payment of wage award arrears and outstanding hazard allowance.
- Renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards.
- Settlement of arrears owed to newly employed external residents, some of whom are owed three to four months’ pay.
Following what it described as “passionate and historic deliberations,” the ARD-FCTA Congress resolved to embark on an indefinite strike beginning 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025.
The association urged the FCTA to demonstrate genuine commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the capital.
“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 communique concluded.
