Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory have insisted that their ongoing indefinite strike will continue, despite the partial payment of salary arrears and the Medical Residency Training Fund to some members.
The Association of Resident Doctors under the FCTA confirmed on Wednesday that a number of doctors recently received payments, but stressed that many others were still excluded. The association made this known in a statement signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong.
According to the group, 28 doctors who had been owed arrears for several months were paid earlier this week, and salaries for the month of October were also released.
However, the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund was described as incomplete, as 47 doctors are still awaiting their entitlements.
Dr. Ebong said the association welcomed the progress made, describing it as “the beginning of the implementation of our demands.”
However, he emphasized that the strike would not be suspended until every affected doctor receives what is due to them and all outstanding issues are resolved.
He explained that some resident doctors are still owed several months of arrears, including those who recently joined the service and have been struggling to meet their work obligations due to lack of remuneration.
He also noted that unresolved matters such as promotion arrears, conversion arrears for doctors who completed specialty examinations, hazard allowance backlogs, and adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure remain outstanding.
“These demands are very pertinent to this strike and form the basis for suspending it, both at the level of the national body and within ARD-FCTA,” he said.
The association expressed appreciation to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his engagement in ongoing dialogues, but urged the government to be proactive in addressing workers’ grievances to prevent disruptions in the healthcare system.
“Our sincere appreciation goes to the FCT Minister for his leadership. However, the indefinite strike continues until all outstanding demands are met,” the statement concluded.
