FCT Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike, Patients Stranded as Hospitals Discharge Wards

Healthcare services across the Federal Capital Territory were thrown into crisis on Monday as resident doctors under the FCT Administration (ARD-FCTA) embarked on an indefinite strike, leaving pregnant women, children, and elderly patients stranded in major hospitals.

The action follows the expiration of a seven-day warning strike, with doctors accusing the FCTA of failing to address longstanding demands despite months of negotiations.

In a communiqué signed by ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, the union listed outstanding salary arrears of between one and six months, irregular payments, and unresolved promotion and conversion processes among their grievances. They also demanded the recruitment of additional staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

Other demands include hazard allowance arrears, wage award payments, renovation and equipping of FCT hospitals, and the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months.

The strike has already disrupted services at Wuse, Asokoro, and Maitama District Hospitals, where wards including female medical, paediatric, surgical, and labour units were shut, forcing patients to return home. Although some consultants, nurses, and other health workers tried to attend to emergencies, many patients went unattended.

At Wuse District Hospital, Mrs. Juliet Chima, who brought her five-year-old daughter for treatment, lamented being turned back despite paying for consultation. Similar frustrations were expressed by other mothers and elderly patients, including a 69-year-old man who said he had missed his annual medical check-up due to the strike.

In Asokoro and Maitama hospitals, pregnant women on scheduled appointments were also left stranded, with some discharged without being seen.

Speaking with The PUNCH, patients appealed to the government to urgently intervene to prevent avoidable complications and deaths, warning that prolonged industrial action could worsen the already fragile healthcare system in the FCT.