Abuja — The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has commenced a seven-day warning strike to protest against poor working conditions, inadequate pay, and a growing infestation of snakes and other reptiles in public hospitals across the city.
The strike, which began at 8:00 am on Monday, 8 September 2025, was announced in a communique issued by ARD-FCT President Dr George Ebong and other executive members. The doctors have vowed not to resume work until the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) addresses their demands.
Describing the FCT health system as a longstanding systemic failure in urgent need of comprehensive reform, Dr Ebong highlighted the immense pressure on doctors who often have to cover multiple departments due to severe manpower shortages.
“The current situation in our hospitals is deplorable and embarrassing,” Ebong said. “Doctors are working without basic equipment and consumables. Some have even lost their lives to snake bites within hospital premises.”
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The union called on the government to urgently address key issues including staff shortages, malfunctioning equipment, poor working environments, and unpaid allowances. Dr Ebong warned that continued neglect could lead to a complete collapse of the health system in the FCT.
Last month, the union had urged the government to take swift action to tackle the rising challenges in the city’s health sector.
The ARD-FCT communique outlined twelve specific demands, including immediate payment of salary arrears, urgent recruitment of medical staff, payment of medical residency training funds, correction of erroneous salary deductions, and the renovation and upgrading of health facilities to world-class standards.
The strike is set to last until 8:00 am on Monday, 15 September 2025, with the doctors set to reassess the situation after that date.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has yet to respond to the strike notice.
