FCT doctors indefinite strike leaves pregnant women, children and elderly stranded as hospitals discharge patients and services grind to a halt

The action, declared by the Association of Resident Doctors in the FCT Administration (ARD-FCTA), follows the expiration of a seven-day warning strike after protracted negotiations with the government failed.

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In a communique signed by ARD-FCTA President, Dr George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr Agbor Affiong, the doctors said their demands—including the payment of salary arrears, recruitment of new staff, release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and settlement of salary adjustments under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure—remained unmet.

They also called for the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre within six months, settlement of promotion arrears, correction of salary deductions, and urgent renovation of FCTA hospitals.

“Congress unanimously resolved that an indefinite strike action commence from 8:00 a.m., Monday, 15 September 2025, until the government demonstrates genuine commitment,” the communique read.

A visit to Wuse, Asokoro, and Maitama District Hospitals revealed chaotic scenes, with pregnant women, children, and elderly patients left unattended.

At Wuse District Hospital, Mrs Juliet Chima lamented paying ₦8,000 in fees only to find no doctor available for her five-year-old daughter, who has persistent stomach pain. “Going to a private clinic is expensive, and I can’t afford it. This is really frustrating,” she said.

Another mother, visibly distressed, said her eight-year-old daughter had been shivering since morning. “The government should attend to the demands of the doctors. It’s not easy dealing with a health condition in this country,” she pleaded.

A 69-year-old man, Mr Osadolor, who normally undergoes medical checks ahead of his birthday, said he had been turned back twice. “This year’s check-up seems impossible. But I pray the government listens to them,” he added.

Pregnant women also bore the brunt. One expectant mother at Asokoro Hospital said she had been asked to return for a rescheduled appointment but was shocked to find doctors unavailable. “Other women have gone. They said nobody is attending to us,” she said.

At Maitama Hospital, the labour, female, male, paediatric, and ante/post-natal wards had been emptied, while only one consultant doctor was seen at the General Outpatient Department struggling to attend to patients.

Mrs Ojuolape Abe, a mother of twins, said her children were denied treatment. “I was just told the doctors are on strike, and there is nothing they can do,” she said angrily, appealing for urgent intervention to prevent avoidable deaths.

Although some immunisation and registration services continued under the supervision of nurses, critical medical services have ground to a halt.

Observers warn that the prolonged strike could trigger preventable fatalities unless the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Ministry of Health intervene swiftly to meet the doctors’ demands.

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For now, patients remain stranded, hospital wards stand locked, and uncertainty hangs heavy over Abuja’s healthcare system.