The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday commenced an indefinite strike.
This was contained in a communique released by the ARD-FCT and signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.
The action comes after a seven-day warning strike, which ended following an emergency general meeting held on Sunday.
The ARD-FCTA comprises doctors working across the 14 district and general hospitals, as well as the Department of Public Health under the FCTA.
Last week Monday, the doctors had downed tools in a warning strike to press home their demands after months of unsuccessful negotiations with the administration.
According to the communique, Congress was dissatisfied that none of their earlier demands had been met.
“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,” the doctors stated in the communique.
Their demands include payment of salary arrears of between one and six months owed to members employed since 2023, immediate recruitment of additional staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and arrears from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
The association is also seeking timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes for members, clearance of accumulated arrears, correction of erroneous deductions from salaries, and regularisation of the irregular payment pattern.
Other demands include conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultants within six months of passing, timelines for promotion exercises with arrears cleared, settlement of wage award arrears, equipping and renovation of FCTA hospitals, payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and payment of three to four months’ salary owed to newly employed external residents.
After extensive deliberations, Congress resolved to embark on an indefinite strike.
“After the most passionate and historic deliberations in ARD-FCT, 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 communique added.
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