Despite the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) recent move to settle part of the outstanding salary arrears owed to doctors under its employment, the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT Chapter, has vowed to continue its indefinite strike, insisting that the government’s gesture falls short of their demands.
The doctors, who embarked on industrial action last week, have maintained that the payment made by the government was only a partial fulfillment of their long-standing entitlements and did not cover the range of issues that prompted their strike. These include the non-payment of salaries to newly employed doctors, irregularities in promotion arrears, and the lack of improved working conditions in public hospitals across the nation’s capital.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the FCT-ARD President, Dr. Mariam Abdul-Yekeen, said the strike would not be suspended until all pending matters are addressed. She noted that while the association acknowledged receipt of partial payment, several unresolved concerns continue to affect their members’ welfare and professional morale.
“We have received reports that some funds have been released and certain payments made to some of our members, but this is not comprehensive. The strike will continue until every doctor owed is paid, and the FCTA fulfills all commitments previously agreed upon,” she stated.
According to the group, no fewer than 28 resident doctors employed in 2023 have yet to receive any salary since assumption of duty, despite fulfilling all employment requirements. Others, the association said, are still being owed months of arrears and allowances.
The doctors also expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s communication strategy, accusing the FCTA of “using partial compliance to divide and demoralize the workforce.” They argued that the government’s piecemeal approach to resolving the crisis only deepens frustration among health workers and endangers the already fragile healthcare delivery system in the capital.
A senior member of the association, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that hospitals across the FCT including Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse, and Nyanya District Hospitals have been operating skeletal services since the strike began, leaving many patients unattended. He noted that only consultants and a few senior staff are providing limited care.
“Our members are committed professionals, but they cannot continue to work under conditions that show disregard for their welfare. Many of them have gone months without pay, yet they are expected to provide lifesaving services daily,” he said.
Meanwhile, the FCTA has called for calm and urged the striking doctors to return to work in the interest of the public. In a press release signed by the Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the administration said it had already commenced payment of the arrears and would continue to engage with the doctors to resolve all issues amicably.
“We have made significant progress in addressing the financial concerns raised by the resident doctors. The administration remains open to dialogue and is working to clear all outstanding obligations. We appeal to the doctors to show understanding and return to duty,” Ogboye said.
However, the doctors have dismissed the appeal as “insincere,” insisting that promises without timelines are no longer acceptable. They warned that the continued neglect of their demands could further cripple health services across the FCT, with dire consequences for patients who rely on public facilities.
Civil society organizations and patient advocacy groups have also urged the federal and FCT authorities to expedite negotiations, emphasizing that healthcare is an essential service that should not be disrupted due to administrative lapses or delayed payments.
As the stalemate lingers, residents of Abuja continue to feel the impact, with long queues at private hospitals and increased costs of care. Analysts have warned that unless the dispute is resolved swiftly, the FCT’s healthcare system could face a prolonged crisis that undermines public trust in government institutions.
For now, the doctors have made it clear: until every outstanding salary is paid, arrears settled, and working conditions improved, the strike will persist regardless of partial payments or government appeals.
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