Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory have commenced a three-day warning strike starting Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FCT chapter, made the decision during an emergency congress meeting on Monday in Abuja.
The meeting took place at the Asokoro District Hospital and was attended by over 120 members physically and virtually.
FCT ARD President, Dr George Ebong, described the mass sack as inhumane and unlawful.
He revealed that 127 health workers were dismissed last Friday by the FCT Civil Service Commission.
Dr Ebong stated that the dismissed workers were wrongfully labelled as ghost workers, absconders, and ex-employees.
According to him, the affected staff are still actively working in various health facilities across Abuja.
He said the dismissal came without consultation with key health bodies or hospital management.
Dr Ebong accused the commission of bypassing the Health Management Board and medical associations.
He called for the immediate resignation of the commission’s chairman, Mr Emeka Ezeh.
He also demanded a formal apology and prompt payment of April salaries to the affected workers.
Among those affected are doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, and non-clinical hospital staff.
He disclosed that even three hospital managing directors were included in the dismissal list.
Dr Ebong said, “If these workers are ghosts, how are the hospitals still operating?”
He described the action as insensitive, unjust, and damaging to healthcare delivery in the FCT.
The doctors warned that failure to meet their demands by Friday, May 9, would trigger an indefinite strike.
Dr Ebong said all FCT hospitals would be shut down if the strike continues beyond the warning period.
He urged FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene urgently and resolve the crisis.
He stated, “We will not return to work unless our demands are met.”
The ARD insists that the dismissed workers must be reinstated and fully compensated.
Dr Ebong maintained that the strike was a collective response to systemic injustice.
He warned that the health sector could collapse if the issue remains unresolved.
The FCT Civil Service Commission has not released a formal statement in response to the strike.
Health workers in the FCT have vowed to resist arbitrary actions affecting their welfare.
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