Doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), are on the verge of launching an indefinite strike on Monday, following the expiration of their seven-day warning strike.
The association’s congress convened on Sunday to decide the next course of action, with insider sources revealing that a full suspension of services is the most probable outcome.
One member, who spoke to newsmen, said, “We may declare an indefinite strike starting from tomorrow (Monday).”
The doctors had earlier commenced a warning strike last Monday after months of unresolved discussions with the FCTA. Their demands include the settlement of salary arrears spanning one to six months for members employed since 2023, as well as the recruitment of additional staff.
They are also pressing for the immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, full payment of arrears from the 25–35 percent adjustment to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and timelines for completing pending skipping and conversion processes.
Other grievances raised include the correction of persistent erroneous deductions from salaries, fixing the irregular and inconsistent salary payment system, and the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of certification. The doctors equally want documented schedules for promotion exercises with accompanying arrears, payment of wage award arrears, renovation and proper equipping of FCTA hospitals, and settlement of outstanding hazard allowance arrears.
In addition, they are demanding payment of salaries owed to newly recruited external residents, who are reportedly owed three to four months’ wages.
The one-week warning strike severely disrupted healthcare services across the FCT, with hospitals limited to skeletal operations. This further underscored the persistent struggles within Nigeria’s public health system, marked by chronic underfunding, manpower shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure.
The association had previously warned that failure to engage in meaningful dialogue and address these grievances could force its members into an indefinite strike, worsening the manpower crisis in district and general hospitals across the FCT.
What You Should Know
FCT resident doctors may begin an indefinite strike today after a seven-day warning action ended without resolution.
Their demands range from unpaid salaries and training funds to hospital upgrades and manpower shortages. The standoff threatens to further strain healthcare services, leaving patients vulnerable in already underfunded facilities.
