FCT Doctors Begin Three-Day Strike, Shut Down Hospitals

Dr. George Ebong, the President of ARD FCTA, revealed during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, that the strike followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued by the doctors last year.

He expressed concern over the neglect of hospitals and the welfare of doctors in the nation’s capital. Dr. Ebong appealed to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and prevent the indefinite closure of hospitals.

The decision to begin the three-day warning strike was made after a congress meeting held by the association’s members on Tuesday.

“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja—from Wuse to Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya and all other hospitals in Abuja,” he stated.

“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and dialogued on several occasions. They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay for the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.

“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister.”

“After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike.

“We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to avert an indefinite shutdown of the hospitals in Abuja.”

It is important to note that the ARD FCTA had earlier issued a 14-day strike warning to the FCT Minister on December 23, 2025, highlighting the threat of a hospital shutdown if their demands were not met.

The ultimatum expired on January 6, 2025, without any resolution, leading to the current three-day warning strike.