FCT Resident Doctors Commence Warning Strike After 7-Day Ultimatum
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) has commenced its seven-day warning strike.
NARD had, on Monday, September 1, through a communique by its President, Dr George Ebong, joined by other executive members, warned of the development should the federal government fail to meet their demands.
The association said the FCT health system is a long-standing systemic failure that requires comprehensive and immediate reform. Ebong also stressed that doctors in the FCT were under pressure and were frequently compelled to cover multiple departments.
He further called on the Federal Government to urgently address rising challenges in the health sector, warning that continued neglect could cause systemic collapse.
The association is demanding urgent intervention in areas like manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid staff allowances. It also raised concerns over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and underpayment of promoted staff, urging the government to act swiftly to boost healthcare worker morale and restore service efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isaq Salako, had expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s ongoing talks with NARD will prevent the strike. He made the expression on September 1, during his appearance on Channels TV Sunrise Daily show.
“The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we had a meeting on Monday; we are making progress,” Salako said, adding that the main issue is the outstanding residency training allowance, about 40 per cent of which for 2025 is yet to be paid.
When asked if the government could guarantee a resolution before the ultimatum expires, he said, “That is my hope, and that is what we are working on.”
FCT Resident Doctors Commence Warning Strike After 7-Day Ultimatum is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
