By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE ASSOCIATION of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has suspended its indefinite strike and directed members to resume duties on Monday at 8.00am.
The decision followed a meeting held on Thursday between the leadership of the Association and the Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by Senator David Jimkuta.
The Committee had appealed to the doctors to call off the industrial action while discussions with the government continue.
The President of the Association, Dr George Ebong, confirmed the suspension on Friday and said the move was taken in response to the Senate’s intervention.
He emphasised, however, that the doctors’ demands remain unresolved.
Resident doctors in the FCT had embarked on strike last Monday after months of negotiations with the Federal Capital Territory Administration failed to yield results.
The Association listed several outstanding issues prompting the industrial action.
The doctors are demanding the payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months for members employed since 2023.
They are also asking for immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears resulting from the 25–35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
Other demands include clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes, settlement of accumulated arrears, and correction of what the Association described as continuous erroneous deductions from members’ salaries.
The Association also called for an end to irregular and erratic salary payments.
Further requests cover the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing, with documented timelines for promotion exercises and full arrears paid.
The doctors are also demanding settlement of wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards, payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and clearance of salary arrears owed to newly employed external residents, some of whom are owed between three and four months’ pay.
Dr Ebong stated that the Association’s Congress will reconvene to review progress on the issues within the agreed timeframe.
He said if there is no meaningful development, the Congress will decide on the next course of action.
