The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA) has launched a three-day warning strike in response to unpaid salaries, allowances, and unmet demands. This strike has brought government hospitals in Abuja to a standstill.
Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD FCTA, announced the strike during a press briefing in Abuja, citing the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued last year. Ebong expressed concerns about the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in the capital city, describing doctors in Abuja as “abandoned projects.
“The strike is a direct result of a Congress held by ARD FCTA members on Tuesday, and it’s not the first time the association has warned of a shutdown. In December 2024, ARD FCTA threatened an impending shutdown due to unmet demands.“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja. From Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, and Nyanya, and other all of our hospitals in Abuja,” he said.
“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 six 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.
“We are striking because we have no other choice. This is not just about salaries or allowances. it is about ensuring that our hospitals can function, that we can work with dignity, and that patients can receive the care they deserve.
“Many believe doctors are always demanding money, but this is not about greed—it’s about survival. No Nigerian can go six months without pay. No professional should work 36-72 hour shifts without rest because there are no replacements.
Ebong is calling on the Minister of FCT, Nyesome Wike, to intervene and prevent an indefinite hospital shutdown. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers in Abuja, including six months of unpaid salaries.
Source : https://guardian.ng/
