By Ireti Asemota.
The Federal Capital Territory’s Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) has pledged to maintain its strike indefinitely until every unmet demand is fully satisfied.
The group voiced deep disappointment, noting that repeated commitments and mediations have yielded no progress on grievances flagged months earlier.
At a Monday media briefing in Abuja, ARD-FCTA President Dr. George Ebong detailed how the action—briefly paused six weeks ago after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and lawmakers intervened—was reignited by the administration’s failure to deliver on agreed timelines.
ARD-FCTA unites physicians across the FCT’s 14 district and general hospitals plus the Public Health Department.
The local walkout began Saturday, syncing with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) nationwide total shutdown.
“Not one of our core issues has been addressed. We’re back to ground zero—no tangible gains whatsoever.
“As of November 3, October salaries are still unpaid. Chronic delays are now standard at FCTA: we collect last month’s pay midway through the next, if at all, while colleagues elsewhere receive full, timely compensation.
“We’ve pleaded for fixes to conditions that sustain doctors’ drive to serve, but those appeals have fallen flat,” Ebong said.
The union highlighted that 28 doctors recruited in 2023 remain in arrears, despite relentless advocacy since January.
“Those 28 hires from 2023 are owed over a year’s worth of pay. We’ve chased this since early 2024—still nothing,” he added.
New external residents onboarded seven months ago are also unpaid, driving several to quit amid financial strain.
The Medical Residency Training Fund—federally approved for roughly 142 doctors—remains withheld, blocking exam prep and specialization.
“This fund is non-negotiable for all 142; no one gets left out.
“We’re critically understaffed, with existing doctors stretched thin. New hires are being slotted at the wrong grade—CONMESS two instead of the mandated CONMESS three, step three—capping pay at about ₦200,000 monthly.
“A doctor pulling 11 hospital days a month for that salary? Recruits from Lagos took one look and returned home. We insist on the correct entry point, matching other federal facilities,” he urged.
Healthcare infrastructure, meanwhile, continues to crumble.
The FCT chapter stressed it will not relent, even if NARD suspends nationally.
“Our plight is distinct. Patience has run out—we strike on until resolved,” Ebong declared.
They appealed directly to Minister Wike, alleging internal sabotage of his prior approvals.
“The Minister may be in the dark. Approved measures are being blocked by insiders. We need his decisive intervention.
“Healthcare can’t be mended in press releases—it requires real action. We’re ready to work, but only with the resources we deserve,” he concluded.
Core Demands:
– Immediate clearance of all 2023 hires’ salary backlogs
– Launch recruitment with ironclad, dated completion by December 2025
– Release 2025 MRTF for every eligible doctor
– End wrongful deductions and normalize full, on-time payments
– Set 30-day deadlines for grade skips and cadre conversions
– Sign MoU enforcing skips within 90 days of employment
– Promote post-Part II Fellows to consultants within six months of passing
– Publish promotion timelines and settle arrears within one month
– Pay wage award backlogs, aligning with federal/state peers
– Clear 25/35% CONMESS review arrears
– Urgently renovate, re-equip, and upgrade all FCTA hospitals to global standards
– Settle 13 months’ hazard allowance
– Pay all 2025 external residents’ outstanding dues
