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Crisis Averted: FCT Resident Doctors End Strike, Healthcare Resumes

Published 1 month ago2 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Crisis Averted: FCT Resident Doctors End Strike, Healthcare Resumes

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike, directing its members to resume work on Monday. This decision was conveyed by the association’s president, Dr. George Ebong, who spoke with a correspondent on Friday. He attributed the suspension to interventions from the Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, which is chaired by Senator David Jimkuta.

Despite the strike's suspension, Dr. Ebong emphasized that none of the doctors' demands have yet been met. The ARD-FCTA represents doctors working across 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, as well as those in the Department of Public Health. The strike commenced the previous Monday, following several months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA regarding various grievances.

The comprehensive list of demands put forth by the doctors includes: payment of salary arrears, which range from one to six months for members employed since 2023; immediate recruitment of new staff to address shortages; settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund; and the payment of arrears stemming from a 25–35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

Further demands from the doctors encompass: clear timelines for the completion of skipping and conversion processes for eligible members; the correction of erroneous salary deductions and irregular payment patterns; the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre within six months of passing their examinations; documented timelines for promotion exercises with full arrears; the payment of wage award arrears; the renovation and proper equipping of FCTA hospitals; and the settlement of hazard allowance arrears and salaries owed to newly employed external residents, who have been unpaid for three to four months.

Dr. Ebong stated, "We are suspending the strike to begin work at 8 a.m. Monday morning. Even though none of our demands have been met, the Senate has assured us that they will engage the minister. Congress has decided to trust their word for now. We also appreciate the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his interventions." He concluded by indicating that the association’s Congress plans to reconvene after an agreed timeframe to assess the progress made and determine subsequent actions if their demands remain unaddressed.

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