By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
By September 8th, 2025, resident doctors in the employ of FCTA have embarked on strike for the third time within the past nine months.
Their umbrella, the Association of Resident Doctors ARD declared that public hospitals, 14 in number , run by FCTA are shut, unless the Administration, headed by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, acceded to their demands for better welfare and provision of basic working assets, among others.
The FCT ARD president, Dr. George Ebong, told journalists that some doctors died from snake bites as a result of the poor conditions of health infrastructure in the 14 General Hospitals owned by the Administration.
According to the ARD chief, no doctor would work until FCTA meets all the union’s demands.
His words: “This is all and one shutdown. All of our demands must be met before we will resume work. We have been believing them for the past years with nothing done. We are becoming harmful to our patients. We can’t keep treating patients when we are mentally sick.”
Painting a picture of the status of public health facilities in Abuja, Dr Ebong said it is deplorable and embarrassing, adding that doctors work without the most basic equipment or consumables
It can be recalled that this year alone, the FCTA has witnessed two previous strikes in this sensitive sector.
In January, there was a three-day warning strike over unpaid salaries and allowances for some doctors.
In May 2025, patients were rocked by another three-day warning strike due to equipment deficit needs as well as the same issue of unpaid salaries, this time for doctors hired in 2023.
Meanwhile, before embarking on the third strike, the doctors met and in their resolution for the go-ahead for the strike, they issued a Communique.
A 12-point resolution was part of a communique issued by the association after a meeting (congress) of members on September 5, 2025.
The communique stated: “Arising from this meeting, after rigorous deliberation, and taking into consideration the fact that management is unwilling to acknowledge the emergency in the FCT health sector, Congress unanimously resolved as follows:
The bulk of these appointments should prioritise medical officers, who form the backbone and foot soldiers of the health workforce.
This is not a routine request, but an emergency current manpower crisis has already exceeded manageable limits and now poses grave, potentially catastrophic risks to both patients and doctors.
“The Congress demands that management, as a matter of utmost urgency, address the continuous erroneous deductions from members’ salaries and immediately rectify the irregular and epileptic pattern of salary payments.
“Immediate signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) mandating: skipping of members within three (3) months of employment. The conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre not later than six (6) months after. These standards are already obtainable in other centres and must be enforced in FCTA.
“Immediate release of timelines for promotion exercises, with full payment of arrears. This process must also be concluded within one (1) month.
“Immediate payment of the wage award arrears to our members. Most federal and state colleagues have been paid, and FCTA doctors cannot continue to be sidelined.
“Immediate payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent upward review of CONMESS, as already implemented and paid in most states and at the federal level.
“Urgent renovation, equipping, and upgrading of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards.
The current state of our facilities is deplorable and embarrassing, with doctors left to work without the most basic equipment or consumables.
In the meantime, the health and human services Secretariat of the FCTA reeled out what government has done to improve healthcare services in the Territory.
The establishment of fully functional oxygen plants at Maitama, Asokoro, Bwari, and Abaji Hospitals to enhance critical care and save lives.
It has also Commissioned a 20-bed Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Centre at Gwarimpa Hospital, in partnership with stakeholders to offer compassionate and specialized care to women in need.
Execution of the FCT Renewed Hope Medical Missions in Kuje and Bwari, where over 10,000 patients were treated with 225 surgeries conducted free of charge.
The FCTA surpassed its national target by 40,000 screenings in the Project 10 Million campaign to detect abnormal blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Also the Renewed Hope Medical Palliative Initiative at Gwarimpa Hospital provided free medications and essential supplies to 1,500 vulnerable patients.
FCT exceeded the presidential mandate of enrolling 25,000 new health insurance beneficiaries annually by 85%, expanding access to quality healthcare.
It enrolled pregnant women and indigent residents into the FHIS, along with the distribution of delivery kits, mosquito nets, and nutrition packs for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Clearance of 3 to 6 months’ salary arrears owed to 2023 health recruits, to promote industrial harmony.
The implementation of the CONHESS upward review has significantly boosted morale and professionalism across the health workforce.
Renovation and furnishing of 43 call rooms, improving working conditions for health workers on night duty.
Establishment of a fully operational Public Health Emergency Operations Centre,to boost FCT’s readiness for disease outbreaks.
Procurement of trolleys for emergency units, alongside repair and replacement of critical hospital equipment to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.
Distribution of over 2,000 free reading glasses during World Sight Day and medical outreaches to enhance quality of life.
Restructuring of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, funding interventions, and securing 2nd place in the 2024 PHC Leadership Challenge, winning $400,000 and increasing immunization coverage from 41% to 46%.
Ongoing renovation of House Officers’ Quarters at Garki Hospital, key step towards expanding training slots from 60 to 120 through accreditation.
Construction of semi-detached bungalows at PHC facilities to enable 24-hour service delivery at the grassroots.
Completion of the process that upgraded the FCT School of Nursing and Midwifery to a College, supported by equipment and infrastructure upgrades—raising the bar in nursing education.
Strengthening of Medical Residency Training, recruitment of resident doctors, and sponsorship of exams, yielding a 60% pass rate and national recognition.
Payment of FCTA counterpart funds amounting to ₦1 billion for the Malaria IMPACT, Immunization IMPACT, and Strategic Health Care Development Projects.
The FCT Administration partnered with the U.S. and Irish Embassies to plant trees in commemoration of the USA’s 248th Independence Anniversary and Saint Patrick’s Day, promoting a greener Abuja.
Strengthened the two-way referral system in the FCT with 80 Close User Group (CUG) desktop phones in collaboration with IHP
Introduced sterile disposable drapes for surgeries to curb infection, and distributed 10,000 free sterile delivery kits, insecticide-treated nets to pregnant women, and nutritional packs to people living with HIV/AIDS.
It also commissioned the first Colposcopy Centre in FCTA public hospitals at Wuse Hospital in partnership with stakeholders to offer compassionate and specialized care to women in need.
The Renewed Hope Medical Palliative Initiative at Gwarimpa Hospital provided free medications and essential supplies to 1,500 vulnerable patients.
FCT exceeded the presidential mandate of enrolling 25,000 new health insurance beneficiaries annually by 85%, expanding access to quality healthcare.
Constructed a 5-bed world-class VIP ward in Maitama Hospital, named after Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Provision of 12 ambulances to FCT hospitals to boost the capacity of health facilities for prompt emergency response.
With these laudable achievements, stakeholders believe there was no need for strike as the FCTA is meeting up with the needs of both residents and the health sector.
Do strike then be the only option. No, strike shouldn’t be the first option. It’s usually considered a last resort
Workers and management should try to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation before resorting to strike action.
Do you know that strikes can result in financial losses for workers, employers, and the broader economy. So why indulging in it.
*Abdul is Abuja based journalist