Updated: FCT resident doctors begin indefinite strike

The ARD-FCT had embarked on a seven-day warning strike last Monday, citing the government’s failure to resolve long-standing grievances

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, on Monday began an indefinite strike.

This was disclosed in a communique issued by the ARD-FCT on Monday, signed by its President, George Ebong, and General Secretary, Agbor Affiong.

“The Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA, at its Emergency General Meeting held on 14 September 2025, resolved to embark on an indefinite strike action with effect from 8:00 a.m., Monday, 15 September 2025,” it said.

“This action follows the failure of Management to address any of our legitimate demands, even after a one-week warning strike.”

The ARD-FCT had embarked on a seven-day warning strike last Monday, citing the government’s failure to resolve long-standing grievances.

The doctors listed lack of manpower, poor welfare, unpaid salaries, unexplained deductions, the psychological toll of long working hours, and the absence of new recruitment in FCT hospitals since 2011 as key issues.

Mr Ebong earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that despite several rounds of dialogue, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has failed to address long-standing concerns affecting doctors in its employ.

Previous strikes by resident doctors have often crippled services across hospitals, with patients bearing the brunt of the industrial action.

More grievances

The doctors lamented the continued non-payment of salary owed to members employed since 2023, despite repeated engagements with management.

It highlighted the non-disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which has left members indebted while struggling to meet mandatory training obligations.

It also listed the non-payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) upward review, persistent and unexplained deductions alongside irregular salary payments, and delays in promotion exercises as part of its grievances.

“Zero effort towards the recruitment of new doctors, despite the obvious manpower crisis that has subjected our members to unbearable physical, emotional, and psychological strain – resulting in avoidable stress-related deaths. Both doctors’ and patients’ lives remain endangered.

“The deplorable state of FCTA hospitals, which are now shadows of decay rather than centres of excellence, lacking equipment, consumables, and basic functionality.”

Demands

The doctors are demanding, amongst others, the immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears to members employed since 2023.

It also called for the immediate recruitment of new doctors, with written, time-bound commitments to conclude before the end of 2025, noting that this is of utmost urgency.

The doctors are also requesting the immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF for doctors’ medical training and payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent CONMESS review

Others are “Immediate stoppage of all erroneous deductions and correction of irregular salary payments, immediate payment of wage award arrears, as already done for colleagues at federal and state levels, payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears and immediate payment of all arrears owed to 2025 external residents.

“Urgent renovation, equipping, and upgrading of all FCTA hospitals to globally acceptable standards.”

The doctors vowed to continue the action “until government and management show genuine commitment to the welfare of doctors and the health of FCT residents.”

“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,” it said.