Abuja Hospitals Grounded as Resident Doctors embark on warning Strike

Doctors in Abuja have begun a three-day warning strike, crippling activities in government hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory. The strike, embarked upon by the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), is in protest of unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unmet demands

At a press briefing on Wednesday, ARD FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, lamented the neglect of hospitals and doctors' welfare in Abuja. He described doctors in the capital city as "abandoned projects," emphasizing that their welfare should be a priority, just like infrastructure development.

The strike follows a three-week ultimatum issued by the doctors last year, which elapsed without resolution. Despite subsequent meetings and dialogues, the government failed to meet the doctors' demands, including payment of six months' unpaid arrears.

Dr. Ebong warned that if their demands remain unmet after the three-day strike, the doctors will embark on an indefinite strike. He urged the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and address the issues to prevent a prolonged shutdown of hospitals in Abuja.