The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), has initiated a three-day warning strike to protest unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unresolved issues.
The strike has significantly disrupted operations in government hospitals across Abuja.
Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD FCTA, announced the action during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, stating that the strike followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued last year.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Dr. Ebong lamented the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in the Federal Capital Territory, describing the situation as unacceptable. He urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene promptly to prevent a potential indefinite shutdown of medical services.
The decision to embark on the strike was reached during a congress meeting held on Tuesday, reflecting the collective frustration of the association’s members.
“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja. From Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and other all of our hospitals in Abuja.
“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and dialogued on several occasions. They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay for the 6 months of unpaid arrears to doctors”.
Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister.
“After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike.
“We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to avert an indefinite shutdown of the hospitals in Abuja,” he said during the press briefing on Wednesday.
Recall that in December 2024, ARD FCTA has warned of an impending shutdown over failure to meet its demands.