UPDATED: FCT Doctors Set To Begin Indefinite Strike

UPDATED: FCT Doctors Set To Begin Indefinite Strike

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) on Monday declared an indefinite strike.

The decision was contained in a communique signed by the President, Dr. George Ebong, and the General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, following an emergency general meeting held on Sunday at the end of the union’s seven-day warning strike.

ARD-FCTA, which comprises doctors working across 14 district and general hospitals as well as the Department of Public Health under the FCTA, said the strike became necessary due to unresolved demands.

The doctors are demanding the payment of outstanding salary arrears ranging from one to six months for members employed since 2023, 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.

They are also seeking clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes, settlement of all accumulated arrears, correction of continuous erroneous deductions, and an end to irregular salary payments.

Other demands include the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultants within six months of passing, documented promotion timelines with arrears paid in full, settlement of wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards, payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and clearance of three to four months’ unpaid salaries owed to newly employed external residents.

The communique emphasized that after exhaustive deliberations, Congress resolved to commence an indefinite strike until the issues are addressed.

“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.