The group said the decision followed management’s failure to act on their concerns despite a one-week warning strike earlier in the month. According to the General Secretary, Agbor Affiong, the union has been left with no option but to escalate.
Their demands cover unpaid entitlements, poor welfare, and a worsening manpower shortage that has left physicians overwhelmed. In the FCT’s 14 district and general hospitals, one doctor is reportedly forced to attend to dozens of patients daily, sometimes carrying out up to 10 caesarean sections alone.
“The situation has become unbearable,” said ARD-FCTA Chairman, George Ebong, who warned last week that only “meaningful dialogue” could prevent the strike. He explained that the system is short by about 200 doctors, adding that many of his colleagues are already on antidepressants and hypertension medication because of the crushing workload.
The association insists the action will not be called off until government and hospital management show “genuine commitment” to both the welfare of doctors and the health of patients in the FCT.