ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday embarked on a seven-day warning strike to protest what it described as longstanding systemic failures in the FCT health sector.
The decision was conveyed in a communiqué signed by the association’s President, Dr George Ebong, and other executive members.
The doctors cited manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid staff allowances as urgent challenges requiring comprehensive reforms. They also raised concerns over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and underpayment of promoted staff, warning that these issues have continued to erode morale and compromise service delivery.
According to Dr Ebong, decision-making in the sector must involve frontline health professionals to ensure effective reforms.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isaq Salako, expressed optimism that ongoing engagements with the doctors would forestall a prolonged strike.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, the minister acknowledged that the key issue is the outstanding residency training allowance, about 40 per cent of which for 2025 remains unpaid.
“We had a meeting on Monday and are making progress. I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, this matter will be resolved,” he said, assuring that the government remains committed to addressing the concerns raised by the doctors.
The strike comes at a time when patients across the FCT continue to grapple with limited access to quality healthcare, raising fears of further disruption if the industrial action persists beyond the warning period.
