Wike Affirms Approval of All Medical Requests Submitted by Doctors Under the Federal Capital Territory's Jurisdiction
In a significant turn of events, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) in Abuja has decided to suspend their indefinite strike, effective from Monday, September 22, 2025, at 8 a.m. This decision comes after a series of negotiations and interventions, most notably from the Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters.
The strike, which began on September 15, 2025, following the expiration of a seven-day warning strike, had disrupted medical services in Abuja and its environs. The resident doctors embarked on this action after months of unresolved negotiations with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The suspension of the strike is out of respect for Minister Nyesom Wike, who has approved all demands of the resident doctors, according to sources. However, the President of ARD-FCTA, Dr. George Ebong, clarified that the action was not targeted at the Minister personally but against a 'failed health system' in the nation's capital.
Some of the grievances raised by Dr. Ebong include the non-payment of 26 members despite seven months of dialogue, unexplained salary deductions, and the poor state of facilities in FCTA hospitals. He also lamented these issues, stating that they have been the source of much frustration for the resident doctors.
In a statement, Dr. Ebong expressed his gratitude for the intervention of the Senate Committee, particularly the role played by the organization, Medicus Solidaritas. He commended the Committee for their efforts in facilitating a resolution to the impasse.
Minister Nyesom Wike, in response, commended the doctors for calling off the strike, stating it is in the interest of patients and the territory. He directed the FCT acting Head of Service and Senior Special Adviser on administration to ensure the implementation of his approval regarding the doctors' demands.
With the strike now suspended, the resident doctors will return to work, providing much-needed relief to patients in Abuja and its surrounding areas. The hope is that this resolution will mark a new chapter in the relationship between the FCTA and the resident doctors, leading to improved healthcare services for all.
