Government run hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) discharged patients and left many stranded on Monday, September 15, 2025, as the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the FCT Administration launched an indefinite strike over unresolved demands, including unpaid salary arrears and inadequate hospital infrastructure.

The ARD-FCTA, led by President Dr. George Ebong and General Secretary Dr. Agbor Affiong, announced the action after a seven-day warning strike failed to yield results. Their demands include clearing one to six months of salary arrears for members employed since 2023, recruiting new staff, settling the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and addressing a 25–35% salary structure increase.

They also seek timelines for promotions, conversion of fellows to consultants, correction of erroneous salary deductions, and payment of hazard allowance arrears. Additional calls include upgrading FCT hospitals to world-class standards and resolving erratic salary payments.

Visits to Wuse, Asokoro, and Maitama District Hospitals revealed chaotic scenes, with pregnant women, children, and elderly patients unable to access care. At Maitama, wards including labour and paediatrics were emptied, with only one consultant doctor managing outpatients. Nurses handled immunizations and registrations, but most patients were turned away.

The strike, effective from 8:00 a.m. Monday, follows months of stalled talks with the FCTA, which the doctors accuse of neglecting healthcare priorities. They urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to act swiftly, warning of potential preventable deaths. The action coincides with other Nigerian health sector initiatives, such as a new Women’s Health Initiative launched by President Tinubu, but patients voiced frustration over systemic failures, with private care unaffordable for many.