Doctors Decry Government’s Failure to Honour Commitments
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the President of ARD-FCTA, Dr. George Ebong, lamented that none of the critical issues previously raised had been implemented.
He recalled that the union had suspended an earlier strike six weeks ago following the intervention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Assembly, but said the government’s failure to keep its promises forced the doctors to resume industrial action.
“Unfortunately, none of our demands have been implemented. We are back to where we were before—nothing positive has happened,” Dr. Ebong stated.
According to him, the strike, which began on Saturday, aligns with the decision of the national body, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to embark on an indefinite strike.
Unpaid Salaries and Poor Welfare Conditions
The ARD-FCTA president expressed deep frustration over chronic salary delays and irregular payments within the FCTA health system.
He revealed that doctors have not been paid for the previous month, describing a consistent pattern of late salary disbursements.
“It has become a culture in FCTA that salaries are not paid as when due. We get paid late into the next month, and even then, payments are often incomplete,” he said.
The association further disclosed that 28 doctors employed in 2023 have yet to receive any salary payments despite numerous letters and meetings with FCTA management.
“Some of our colleagues employed over a year ago are still waiting for their first paycheck. It is both unfair and demoralizing,” Dr. Ebong added.
Resident Doctors Struggle Without Training Funds
Another major grievance is the non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for about 142 doctors, which is meant to support their professional development and examination costs.
The association described the situation as “discouraging,” saying it directly hampers the ability of doctors to progress in their careers.
Similarly, newly employed external resident doctors—some working for as long as seven months—have reportedly gone unpaid, forcing several to abandon their posts due to financial hardship.
Dispute Over Entry-Level Salaries and Staffing Gaps
The doctors also faulted the administration’s decision to employ new medical officers at the wrong entry level under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
According to the ARD-FCTA, while federal institutions recruit doctors at CONMESS 3, Step 3, the FCTA has been hiring at CONMESS 2, which offers a significantly lower salary—around ₦200,000 per month.
“It’s unrealistic to expect a doctor to work full-time under such poor conditions. Many who came from Lagos and other states left after discovering the entry level,” Ebong explained.
He stressed that the staffing shortages in FCTA hospitals are worsening, leaving existing doctors overworked and undercompensated.
Deteriorating Infrastructure and a Plea to the Minister
Beyond welfare concerns, the ARD-FCTA lamented the declining state of healthcare infrastructure across FCTA-owned hospitals, calling for urgent renovation, equipment upgrades, and improved working conditions.
The doctors urged Minister Wike to revisit the situation personally, expressing concern that bureaucratic delays within the administration may be frustrating his earlier approvals.
“We believe the Honourable Minister may not have the full picture. Certain individuals appear to be deliberately sabotaging his directives,” Ebong said.
“We can’t fix the medical system on the pages of newspapers. We are ready to work, but we can’t give what we don’t have.”
Key Demands of the FCT Resident Doctors
The ARD-FCTA listed several conditions that must be met before it will suspend the strike. These include:
- Immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears for doctors employed since 2023.
- Recruitment of new doctors with clear, written timelines for completion before the end of 2025.
- Immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
- Correction of erroneous salary deductions and irregular payments.
- Implementation of skipping and conversion policies within one month.
- Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre within six months.
- Release of promotion timelines and full arrears payment within one month.
- Payment of wage award arrears, as already implemented at federal and state levels.
- Settlement of arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS review.
- Urgent renovation and upgrading of FCTA hospitals to global standards.
- Payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears and all outstanding entitlements for 2025 external residents.
Strike to Continue Despite National Directives
Dr. Ebong emphasized that the FCT doctors’ strike would continue independently of any decision by the national NARD leadership.
“Our situation in the FCTA is peculiar. Even if NARD suspends its strike today, we will continue ours until our demands are met. We have been patient enough,” he declared.
The association’s stance underscores a deepening crisis in the FCT healthcare system—one that may persist unless decisive steps are taken to address doctors’ long-standing grievances and restore confidence in public medical service delivery.