From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has embarked on a seven-day warning strike over what it described as longstanding systemic failures in the territory’s health sector.
The association’s President, Dr. George Ebong, alongside other executive members, on Monday, said the FCT health system has been crippled by chronic underfunding, acute staff shortages, and poor working conditions.
Dr. Ebong lamented the heavy workload borne by resident doctors, who he said are often compelled to manage multiple departments 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 industrial action is expected to disrupt services across government-owned hospitals and clinics in the FCT, including outpatient consultations, specialist care, and some in-patient services.
The strike adds to growing unease in Nigeria’s healthcare system, which continues to grapple with brain drain, poor infrastructure, and delayed payments, sparking frequent industrial actions across the country.
