Strike hits Abuja hospitals as resident doctors withdraw services

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced a seven-day warning strike, citing longstanding systemic issues within the FCT health system.

The industrial action was announced on Monday via a communiqué jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr George Ebong, and other executive members.

According to the statement, the FCT health sector has been plagued by chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and poor working conditions — challenges which the doctors say have reached a breaking point. The group is calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms to address these systemic failings.

Dr Ebong expressed concern over the increasing workload faced by resident doctors, who are often forced to manage multiple departments simultaneously due to inadequate staffing.

“Our members are stretched beyond capacity. This is not only unsustainable but also compromises the quality of care delivered to patients,” he said.

The strike is expected to affect services in government-owned hospitals and clinics within the FCT, including general outpatient care, specialist consultations, and certain in-patient services.

The warning strike comes amid broader concerns within Nigeria’s healthcare system, where brain drain, insufficient infrastructure, and delayed payments have contributed to recurring industrial actions across several states.

Resident doctors  form a significant part of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce. Their roles are vital in tertiary and secondary care institutions, making any strike action highly disruptive.