The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory Administration has begun a three-day warning strike to protest unpaid salaries, allowances, and other demands.
The strike was a direct outcome of a Congress meeting held by members of the association on Tuesday.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the President of ARD FCTA, Dr. George Ebong, said the strike followed the expiration of the three-week ultimatum given in 2024.
Persecondnews recalls that the association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister Mr. Nyesom Wike
on December 23, 2024, to meet its demands.
Ebong condemned the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in the nation’s capital.
He said doctors in Abuja have been neglected, and urged the FCT Minister to intervene and prevent a prolonged hospital shutdown.
He said: “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.
“We gave the government an ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and held several dialogues.
“They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister.”
Ebong said if the government fails to address the doctors’ demands after the three-day warning strike, they will conduct an appraisal, which may potentially lead to an indefinite strike.
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.
“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, 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.
“Since 2021, there has been an increase in our hazard allowance — an increase approved due to the high risks we face daily. From COVID-19 to Lassa fever, we work on the front lines, often at great personal risk. Yet, here in the FCT, we are still owed 13 months of arrears.”
Persecondnews recalls that the association went on a seven-day nationwide warning strike in September 2024, over the abduction of their colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola,
a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
She was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
The strike yielded results as Dr. Popoola was released in October 2024, 10 months after her abduction.
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