
Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, on Wednesday commenced a three-day warning strike over 7 months’ unpaid salaries of their colleagues, engaged since 2023, and other allowances.
The President, Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, ARD FCTA, Dr George Ebong, briefing journalists on the development, explained that the strike action was necessitated after the expiration of the three-week ultimatum issued to the government last year.
Ebong, who decried the poor working condition and welfare of doctors in the nation’s capital, said the three may be elongated beyond the three days, if the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, does not intervene urgently.
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister,” he said.
“If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike. We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to prevent an indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja,” he stated.
He listed some of their demands to include, Medical Residency Training Fund of 2024; implementation of skipping and issuance of skipping letters to its members employed in 2023; immediate payment of accouterments allowance for 2024, and payment of outgoing 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears, among others demands.
Dr Ebong continued, “This allowance, meant for the tools we use daily to serve Nigerians, has also been delayed indefinitely. Management assured us this money would be paid, but to date, nothing has been done. These broken promises make it harder for us to trust the system.
“Imagine passing a promotion exam years ago, in our case, 2-5 years ago, and taking on the responsibilities of your new role, but still being paid for your old position. This is our reality. Doctors who have earned the title of ‘consultant’ are still treated as senior registrars, with no formal recognition or financial benefits. It is a slap in the face to our hard work and commitment.”
He hinted further that the three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and all other hospitals in Abuja.