The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory has commenced a seven-day warning strike, demanding urgent reforms to address what it describes as long-standing failures in the territory’s health system.
In a communiqué released on Monday, the association’s president, Dr George Ebong, said doctors in Abuja were working under “intense pressure” and often compelled to cover multiple departments at once.
He explained that manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions and unpaid allowances were undermining service delivery.
“The situation is unsustainable. Resident doctors cannot continue to work under these conditions. The federal government must act quickly to prevent a total collapse of the system,” Ebong stated.
The doctors also raised concerns over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and underpayment of staff who had been promoted. According to the communiqué, these issues have dampened morale and affected efficiency in patient care.
The association gave the FCT administration a one-week deadline to begin meaningful reforms in staffing and welfare, warning that failure to do so would lead to an escalation of the industrial action.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, expressed optimism that talks with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) would avert the strike. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Salako said discussions were ongoing to resolve outstanding matters.
“The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we are making progress. We had a meeting on Monday,” Salako noted.
He confirmed that about 40 per cent of the 2025 residency training allowance had not yet been paid, but assured that government was working to settle the backlog. “That is my hope, and that is what we are working on,” he said when asked if the matter would be resolved before the strike deadline lapses.
NARD had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum on 1 September, warning of a nationwide strike if government failed to address key welfare concerns. The ultimatum followed a three-week extension granted in July to allow further engagement with stakeholders.
At its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Sunday, the association condemned what it described as the federal government’s “failure to honour promises”, pointing out that many doctors were yet to receive their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
The NEC also criticised the refusal to settle five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, in addition to other outstanding salary arrears.
