Abuja resident doctors suspend strike, set to resume work Monday

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has suspended its indefinite strike, paving the way for doctors to return to work on Monday at 8 a.m.

Announcing the development, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, explained that the decision followed interventions by the Senate, which stepped in to mediate between the doctors and relevant authorities.

He emphasized, however, that “none of the doctors’ demands have been met so far.”

The ARD-FCTA represents doctors working across the 14 district and general hospitals in the territory, as well as the Department of Public Health under the FCTA.

The warning strike began last Monday as a result of months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA. The doctors are pressing for the payment of salary arrears of between one and six months for members employed since 2023.

They are also seeking the immediate recruitment of additional staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and arrears arising from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

In addition, the doctors are calling for clear timelines for completion of skipping and conversion processes for all members, settlement of all accumulated arrears, and rectification of ongoing erroneous deductions and inconsistent salary payments. They also demand that post-Part II Fellows be converted to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing, with documented promotion timelines and arrears fully settled.
Other requests include payment of wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards, settlement of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and payment of salary arrears owed to newly employed external residents, currently facing three to four months of unpaid salaries.

Dr. Ebong stated, “We are suspending the strike to begin work at 8 a.m. Monday morning.

“The Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by David Jimkuta, intervened. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, they assured us that they will talk to the minister, and the Congress has decided to believe what the Senate has said. We also appreciate the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his interventions.

“The Congress will reassemble to reassess the interventions within the agreed timeframe, and if nothing is done, the Congress will take the next line of action.”

(PUNCH)