JUST IN: FCT resident doctors begin seven-days warning strike

Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory have commenced a seven-day warning strike, accusing the government of neglect and warning that the health system is on the brink of collapse.

Announcing the action in a communique, Dr George Ebong, ARD-FCT President, said the strike was unavoidable given the “long-standing systemic failure” in the territory’s healthcare system.

“Our members are under immense pressure, often covering multiple departments because of manpower shortages. We cannot continue like this,” Ebong said.

According to him, urgent reforms are needed in staffing, equipment, and welfare if hospitals in the FCT are to function effectively.

“We are demanding immediate intervention in areas like manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid staff allowances.

“Salaries are left unpaid, promotions are delayed, and promoted staff are underpaid. Morale is low, and service delivery is collapsing,” he added.

Ebong insisted that frontline health professionals must be included in decision-making if reforms are to be meaningful.

He gave the FCT administration a one-week deadline to address core issues of staffing and welfare.

“Failure to act will leave us with no choice but to continue with the strike,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health, Dr Isaq Salako, expressed confidence that ongoing negotiations with the National Association of Resident Doctors would resolve the matter.

“Yes, NARD has issued an ultimatum, but with the level of conversation going on, I believe progress is being made.

“We met on Monday. We are moving forward,” Salako said during an appearance on Sunrise Daily.

He admitted that the major stumbling block is the outstanding residency training allowance, of which about 40 percent for 2025 remains unpaid.

Asked if the government could guarantee a resolution before the ultimatum expires, Salako replied: “That is my hope, and that is what we are working on.”

With the strike now underway, the pressure is squarely on the federal government to prevent what could become a full-blown shutdown of FCT hospitals.