ABUJA: The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has today embarked on a seven-day warning strike, citing systemic failures in Abuja’s health system that require urgent and comprehensive reform.
In a communiqué issued by ARD-FCT President, Dr George Ebong, alongside other executives, the doctors decried worsening manpower shortages, outdated or non-functional equipment, unpaid allowances, and poor working conditions.
Ebong noted that FCT doctors are often overstretched, forced to cover multiple departments simultaneously, warning that government neglect could trigger a complete collapse of the health system.
The association also raised concerns about unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and the underpayment of promoted staff, urging authorities to take immediate steps to restore worker morale and efficiency.
To highlight the urgency, ARD-FCT gave the administration one week to implement meaningful reforms on staffing and welfare, warning that failure to comply would escalate the strike action.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health, Dr Isaq Salako, expressed optimism that ongoing discussions between the Federal Government and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) would yield results.
He admitted that about 40 percent of the 2025 residency training allowance remains unpaid but assured that talks were progressing toward resolution.
“I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we are making progress,” Salako said, though he stopped short of guaranteeing a resolution before the ultimatum expires.
