By Uzair Adam
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has initiated a three-day warning strike in protest of unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unresolved issues.
The Daily Reality leaned that the strike has disrupted services at government hospitals across Abuja.
In a press briefing held on Wednesday in Abuja, Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD FCTA, explained that the strike followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued last year.
He lamented the neglect of healthcare workers’ welfare and hospitals in the nation’s capital.
Ebong called for urgent intervention from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to prevent an indefinite closure of hospitals in the region.
He emphasized that the decision to go on strike was reached after a Congress held by ARD FCTA members on Tuesday.
The strike, which covers all government hospitals in Abuja, from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and others, follows months of unresolved demands.
The doctors had earlier engaged in multiple dialogues with the authorities but saw no meaningful action, even after the government requested two additional weeks to address their grievances.
“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands, and after meeting them and discussing several times, nothing was done. Not even the minimum things. We expected the government to pay for the six months of unpaid arrears,” Ebong stated.
He criticized the neglect faced by doctors in Abuja, referring to them as “abandoned projects” and highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system.
In December, ARD FCTA had warned of a possible shutdown if their demands were not met, with the current strike representing a call for immediate resolution.
The association has warned that if their issues remain unaddressed after the three-day strike, they will consider an indefinite strike.
The full communique, also released at the press briefing, detailed the various concerns of the association, including unpaid salaries, delays in the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), unfulfilled accoutrement allowances, unpaid hazard allowances, and the lack of necessary hospital equipment.
The communiqué also stressed the shortage of manpower in the healthcare sector, with many doctors leaving the country due to poor working conditions and lack of support.
It concluded with a plea for the government to act swiftly to avoid further deterioration of the healthcare system in Abuja.