The Association of Resident Doctors within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (“ARD-FCTA”) has formally commenced an indefinite industrial action effective Monday, 15 September 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
The decision was communicated through a duly issued communique signed by the Association’s President, Dr. George Ebong, and its General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong. The communique indicated that the indefinite strike was resolved upon following the expiration of a seven-day warning strike and an emergency general meeting convened on Sunday.
The ARD-FCTA, comprising physicians engaged across 14 district and general hospitals, as well as within the Department of Public Health under the FCTA, resolved to escalate its industrial action upon reviewing the failure of management to address the association’s long-standing grievances.
The demands include, inter alia:
Payment of outstanding salary arrears ranging from one to six months owed to doctors employed since 2023;
Immediate recruitment of additional staff;
Full disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund;
Settlement of arrears arising from the 25–35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS);
Provision of clear timelines for the completion of “skipping” and conversion processes;
Rectification of persistent erroneous deductions and irregular salary payment patterns;
Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of qualification, with all arrears duly paid;
Payment of wage award arrears, hazard allowance arrears, and arrears owed to newly engaged external residents currently owed three to four months’ pay;
Renovation, equipping, and upgrading of FCTA hospitals to internationally acceptable standards; and
Establishment of documented timelines for promotion exercises with arrears.
The communique expressed the Congress’s dissatisfaction with what it described as “chronic neglect” of the healthcare system by the government, which it argued has impaired the ability of doctors to deliver care at the highest standard.
Accordingly, the Congress unanimously resolved to proceed with an indefinite strike until such time as the government and FCTA management demonstrate genuine and verifiable commitment to meeting the Association’s demands.
The communique concluded with a call upon the government to urgently address the issues raised “for the sake of our patients and ourselves.”#newsafro_
