The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike following the expiration of its seven-day warning strike.
The development was announced in a communique issued by the association and signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong. The statement revealed that the decision was reached after an emergency general meeting held on Sunday.
ARD-FCTA, which comprises doctors working in 14 district and general hospitals as well as the Department of Public Health under the FCTA, had previously downed tools last Monday to press home their demands after months of unresolved negotiations with authorities.
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In the communique, the association expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of their grievances, noting that none of the issues earlier raised had been addressed.
“This once again confirms our fears of the chronic neglect of our healthcare system affecting the effectiveness of the medical doctors in order to carry out care in the highest standard,” the statement read.
The doctors are demanding the payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to members employed since 2023. They also want immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Other demands include clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes, settlement of accumulated arrears, correction of continuous erroneous deductions from members’ salaries, and an end to irregular salary payments.
The association is also seeking the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of qualification, documented timelines for promotion exercises with full arrears, payment of wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals, payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and settlement of salaries owed to newly employed external residents who are yet to be paid for three to four months.
Following what it described as “exhaustive deliberations,” ARD-FCTA said Congress unanimously resolved to proceed on an indefinite strike effective 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025.
“After the most passionate and historic deliberations in ARD-FCT, Congress unanimously resolved that Congress shall embark on an indefinite strike action commencing 8:00 a.m., Monday, 15th September 2025, until the government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority.
“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,” the communique added.
