Resident Doctors Declare Strike, Decry Snake Invasion in Abuja Hospitals

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has raised alarm over the deplorable state of public hospitals in Abuja, claiming that some facilities have been overrun by snakes and reptiles. The association also disclosed that some doctors have died from snake bites while on duty.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, ARD FCT President, Dr. George Ebong, said doctors were “mentally sick” from years of poor working conditions, irregular pay, and inadequate equipment. He stressed that the situation had made it unsafe for both healthcare workers and patients.

In protest, the doctors declared a seven-day warning strike, which began at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, and is expected to last until September 15. According to Dr. Ebong, the strike would not be suspended until the FCT Administration (FCTA) takes concrete steps to address their demands.

A communiqué issued after the association’s September 5 congress listed 12 key resolutions, including the immediate payment of salary arrears for doctors employed in 2023, urgent recruitment of new doctors, release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, correction of irregular salary deductions, and prompt promotion exercises with arrears fully paid.

The doctors also demanded urgent renovation and equipping of hospitals in the FCT, payment of hazard allowance arrears, implementation of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review, and a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on staff progression. They warned that failure to address these issues would worsen the already dire state of healthcare delivery in the capital.