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The Digest:

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) has commenced a seven-day warning strike, citing extreme hazards, including snake infestations in public hospitals that have led to fatalities among medical staff. ARD-FCT President Dr. George Ebong announced the strike, emphasizing that doctors are working under mentally and physically unsustainable conditions.

Key Points:
  • Doctors report hospitals in Abuja are infested with snakes, citing colleague deaths from bites.
  • The strike follows unmet demands over the years, including unpaid salaries and erroneous deductions.
  • Key issues: no new doctor recruitment since 2023, unpaid Medical Residency Training Fund, and lack of basic medical equipment.
  • Doctors describe themselves as “mentally sick” due to workload and unsafe environments, risking patient care.
  • Twelve resolutions demand immediate action, including hazard pay, promotions, and hospital upgrades.
  • The FCT Administration has been accused of ignoring prior appeals and emergency warnings.
  • Strike to continue until all demands are addressed, with further action possible if unresolved.
This strike highlights a severe collapse in healthcare infrastructure in the nation’s capital, with doctors no longer able to operate under what they call “deplorable and embarrassing” conditions.