The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike and confirmed that members will return to work on Monday at 8 a.m.
Speaking with the press on Friday, the president of the association, Dr. George Ebong, explained that the decision to temporarily halt the strike followed interventions from the Senate.
He emphasized, however, that none of the doctors’ demands have been met so far.
The ARD-FCTA is an association of doctors practicing in the 14 district and general hospitals, including the Department of Public Health under the FCTA.
The doctors went on strike last Monday to press home their demands following months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.
The doctors are asking for reimbursement of salary arrears ranging from one to six months for members hired since 2023.
They also want quick new staff recruitment, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears resulting from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure’s 25-35% upward review.
They also want precise timetables for completing the skipping and conversion processes for all members, as well as the settlement of any accumulated arrears.
They also urged the FCTA to address the ongoing erroneous deductions from members’ salaries and to correct the irregular and unpredictable salary payment pattern.
They also urged that post-Part II Fellows be converted to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing, as well as established timeframes for promotion exercises with all arrears paid.
Other demands include paying wage award arrears, renovating and equipping FCTA hospitals to world-class standards, paying outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and settling salary arrears owing to freshly hired external residents who are currently owed three to four months’ compensation.
“We are suspending the strike to begin work at 8 a.m. Monday morning.
“The Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by David Jimkuta, intervened. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, they assured us that they will talk to the minister, and the Congress has decided to believe what the Senate has said. We also appreciate the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his interventions.
“The Congress will reassemble to reassess the interventions within the agreed timeframe, and if nothing is done, the Congress will take the next line of action,” Dr. Ebong stated.
