The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory, has raised alarm over the worsening state of Abuja’s public hospitals, claiming that some facilities have been overtaken by snakes and reptiles, with doctors allegedly suffering fatal snake bites.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, ARD FCT President, Dr. George Ebong, said the situation reflects the deplorable state of healthcare in the capital city, stressing that doctors themselves are now “mentally sick” due to poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, and lack of basic medical equipment.
The association commenced a seven-day warning strike on September 8, vowing not to return to work until the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) meets their demands.
“This is a total shutdown for seven days. All our demands must be met before we will resume work. For years, we have been promised change, yet nothing has been done. Our hospitals are in crisis; some colleagues have died from snake bites. We cannot keep treating patients when we are broken ourselves,” Dr. Ebong said.
Following a congress held on September 5, ARD issued a 12-point communique, listing immediate demands that include:
- Payment of salary arrears for doctors employed in 2023.
- Urgent recruitment of new doctors to address manpower shortages.
- Full payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
- Rectification of irregular and erroneous salary deductions.
- Release of timelines for skipping, conversion, and promotion processes.
- Settlement of wage award arrears and upward CONMESS review.
- Renovation and equipping of FCT hospitals to acceptable standards.
- Payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears.
The communique warned that if the FCTA fails to respond before the strike lapses on September 15, the association would reconvene to decide on further actions.
ARD insisted that the current collapse of public health services in Abuja constitutes a medical emergency, with both patients and healthcare workers now at serious risk.
