Resident doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have commenced an indefinite strike from Monday, September 15, 2025, after accusing management of neglect and failure to address their long-standing demands.
The doctors, under the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), said the strike followed the expiration of a 7-day warning strike without any positive response from government and hospital management. They stressed that the action would continue until authorities demonstrate commitment to prioritising healthcare in the FCT.
ARD-FCTA, in a communiqué issued after an emergency general meeting on September 14, expressed disappointment that none of its earlier demands had been met, describing the situation as another proof of chronic neglect of the healthcare system. The doctors listed salary arrears, unpaid allowances, manpower shortages, stagnation of promotions, and the decay of FCTA hospitals as major grievances.
They noted that members were still owed between one and six months of salary arrears since 2023, the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund had not been paid, and hazard allowance arrears for 13 months remained pending. They added that there had been zero recruitment of new doctors despite mounting workload and worsening conditions in hospitals.
“Our members are subjected to unbearable physical, emotional, and psychological strain, resulting in avoidable stress-related deaths. Both doctors’ and patients’ lives remain endangered,” the communiqué read.
“The deplorable state of FCTA hospitals, which are now shadows of decay rather than centres of excellence, lacking equipment, consumables, and basic functionality,” they said
“Congress shall embark on an indefinite strike action commencing at 8:00am, Monday, 15th September 2025, until government and management demonstrate genuine commitment to making health in the FCT a priority,” the doctors added.
The communiqué also demanded immediate recruitment of new doctors, urgent renovation and equipping of hospitals, immediate payment of all outstanding arrears, including the 25/35 per cent CONMESS review, and stoppage of erroneous salary deductions.
“We do hope that the management will do the urgent needful to meet all of our demands for the sake of our patients and ourselves.”
