Doctors begin three-day strike in Abuja, shutting down hospitals over unpaid wages and conditions
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), has launched a three-day warning strike in Abuja, effectively halting operations in government hospitals. The strike, which began on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, is in protest of unpaid salaries, allowances, and other pressing demands that the association says have been ignored for far too long.
Dr. George Ebong, the President of ARD FCTA, announced the strike during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, explaining that the decision came after a three-week ultimatum given by the doctors last year had expired without any action from the government.
Ebong expressed frustration over the ongoing neglect of doctors and hospitals in Abuja, emphasizing that they have been treated as “abandoned projects.” He called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene immediately to prevent an indefinite strike that could cripple the city’s healthcare system.
“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja—from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and all other hospitals in Abuja,” said Ebong. “We gave the government a three-week ultimatum, met with them several times, and they asked for two more weeks. Yet, after that, nothing has been done—not even the basics. We expected them to pay the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.”
He further stressed that if the situation remains unchanged after the warning strike, doctors may have no choice but to escalate to an indefinite strike.
The grievances raised by the doctors include unpaid salaries for up to six months, delays in disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and unpaid hazard allowances. Additionally, they cite inadequate hospital infrastructure, outdated equipment, overcrowded facilities, and a severe shortage of medical staff as major concerns.
Dr. Ebong also highlighted the impact of these issues on the quality of healthcare delivery in the capital, pointing out that the country’s capital is struggling with basic necessities like water, proper medical equipment, and sufficient staff, while doctors are forced to work under increasingly difficult conditions.
“We are not fighting for luxuries,” Dr. Ebong emphasized in his statement. “This is about survival. We can’t continue to work without pay for months, without proper equipment, and under unbearable stress. If we don’t address these problems, the system will collapse.”
As the three-day strike continues, the ARD FCTA is calling on the government to urgently resolve these issues to avoid further disruptions and ensure the safety and well-being of both healthcare workers and patients.
