The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has confirmed the partial payment of salary arrears and the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to some of its members by the FCT Administration. However, the association says its ongoing indefinite strike will continue until all outstanding demands are fully addressed.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, the association described the payments as “the beginning of the implementation of our demands,” but noted that a significant number of doctors were left out of the latest disbursements.
According to the association, 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears ranging from one month to one year received payment earlier in the week. The MRTF, which supports medical residents in training and certification, was also paid to some doctors. Out of the 150 doctors due for the MRTF, only 103 were paid, leaving 47 doctors still awaiting their allowances. Regular salaries for October were also paid on Tuesday.
Despite acknowledging these efforts, ARD-FCTA maintained that the strike, declared Saturday in solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ nationwide industrial action, will continue.
The doctors insist that several unresolved issues must be addressed before the strike can be suspended. These include:
– Immediate payment of the remaining MRTF for the 47 doctors yet to be paid.
– Settlement of six to seven months’ unpaid salaries owed to external resident doctors.
– Payment of longstanding skipping, promotion, and Post-Part II conversion arrears.
– Implementation of the 25%–35% adjustment to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), already been applied in federal institutions.
– Payment of wage awards.
– Settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears dating back to 2021.
– Employment of additional healthcare workers.
– Improvement in working conditions across FCTA health facilities.
The association stressed that these issues are “very pertinent to this strike” and form the basis for suspending the action at both the national level and within the FCTA.
Dr. Ebong expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, acknowledging his involvement in discussions and the initial steps taken to address some of the grievances.
However, he cautioned against a recurring pattern where authorities respond only after strikes are declared.
“Management and government should not always wait for a strike to occur before scampering to listen to our yearnings,” the statement read.
The association says it remains open to dialogue and hopes ongoing engagements with the National Assembly and FCTA management will lead to “a lasting solution to the lamentable situation of our healthcare system.”
