How Doctors Sent Pregnant Women, Students, Children Home in Abuja Hospitals Over Strike

Hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory were thrown into chaos on Monday as doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors in the FCT Administration (ARD-FCTA) began an indefinite strike, sending patients, pregnant women, children, and students back home.

The strike, which followed the expiration of a seven-day warning strike last week, left scores of patients stranded at Wuse, Asokoro, and Maitama District Hospitals. Pregnant women, elderly patients, and children who came for routine check-ups and treatment were turned back, while hospitals discharged patients from several wards due to lack of doctors.

In a communiqué signed by ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, the doctors accused the FCTA of failing to meet their demands despite repeated engagements.

Among their demands are payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months for members employed since 2023, immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears from the 25–35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

They also want timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes, settlement of accumulated arrears, correction of salary deduction errors, regularization of salary payments, and conversion of post-Part II Fellows to consultants within six months. Other demands include renovation of hospitals, payment of outstanding hazard allowances, and wage award arrears.

The communiqué noted that “Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite strike action commencing 8:00 a.m., Monday, 15th September 2025, until the government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority.”

Meanwhile, patients narrated their ordeal. Mrs. Juliet Chima, a mother of one, said she paid ₦8,000 for hospital services at Wuse District Hospital only to be told no doctor would attend to her sick daughter. Another mother said her eight-year-old daughter was left shivering unattended, while a 69-year-old man, Mr. Osadolor, lamented being turned back twice in two weeks.

At Asokoro District Hospital, pregnant women complained of cancelled appointments and wasted trips, with some waiting in vain for hours before being told to go home. Similar scenes played out at Maitama Hospital, where wards were shut and only one consultant doctor was available to attend to patients at the Out-patient Department.