Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have initiated an indefinite strike starting Monday, citing the authorities’ failure to address their demands.
The Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA, announced the strike following an Emergency General Meeting held on September 14, 2025. In a statement by General Secretary Agbor Affiong, the association expressed frustration over the management’s inaction after a previous one-week warning strike.
“This action follows the failure of Management to address any of our legitimate demands,” the statement read. The doctors pledged to continue the strike until there is a genuine commitment from the government and management towards improving the welfare of doctors and the health of FCT residents.
Last week, the ARD-FCTA had already taken a stand with a seven-day warning strike, demanding better working conditions and the payment of entitlements. The doctors highlighted concerns over inadequate manpower and poor welfare, which they say are affecting their ability to provide care.
ARD-FCTA chairman George Ebong emphasized the dire situation, stating that the FCT has 14 district and general hospitals, yet the shortage of doctors means that one physician is often responsible for dozens of patients. “We’re going to need as much as 200 or thereabouts [doctors]. We don’t even have anything close to that,” Ebong noted.
He further revealed that some doctors are managing over 30 to 40 patients at a time and performing multiple caesarean sections daily, leading to significant stress and health issues among the staff.
“We have doctors who are on antidepressants. We have doctors who are on anti-hypertensives,” he added, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the healthcare system.
#FCT #ResidentDoctors #Strike #Healthcare #NigerianDoctors #MedicalCare #DoctorsWelfare #HealthSystem
