RESIDENT doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced an indefinite strike, starting today, following what they described as the government’s failure to meet their longstanding demands.
The Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA (ARD-FCTA), announced the decision after an emergency general meeting held yesterday.
In a statement signed by the association’s General Secretary, Agbor Affiong, the doctors said the action became necessary after their concerns were ignored despite a seven-day warning strike last week.
“This action follows the failure of management to address any of our legitimate demands,” the statement read, stressing that the strike would continue “until government and management show genuine commitment to the welfare of doctors and the health of FCT residents.”
The resident doctors have been pressing for improved working conditions, payment of entitlements, and solutions to manpower shortages in FCT hospitals.
ARD-FCTA Chairman, Dr. George Ebong, had earlier warned during an interview that the association would have no choice but to proceed with an indefinite strike if no “meaningful dialogue” was held.
He highlighted the strain doctors face in the capital, revealing that with only about 200 doctors needed across 14 district and general hospitals, the current workforce is severely overstretched.
“We have doctors seeing more than 30 or 40 patients each day. Some are handling up to 10 caesarean sections,” he said. “Many of our colleagues are already on antidepressants and anti-hypertensives due to the workload.”
The association insists that addressing these challenges is not only essential for the welfare of medical personnel but also for safeguarding the health of millions of FCT residents.