Health
FCTA Resident Doctors Acknowledge Partial Implementation of Demands, Vow to Continue Indefinite Strike
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has confirmed that some of its outstanding salary arrears and allowances have been paid.
Despite this progress, the doctors have vowed to continue their ongoing indefinite strike in solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) until all their specific demands are fully met.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, said that 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears ranging from one month to one year were paid two nights ago. He added that while some members received their Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), 47 of the 150 doctors entitled to the allowance are yet to be paid.
Dr. Ebong commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for initiating the implementation of some of the doctors’ demands. However, he emphasized that partial fulfillment was insufficient grounds to suspend the strike.
“Two nights ago, 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears for periods ranging from one month to one year were paid. Also, the MRTF of some doctors was paid, though 47 out of 150 are still outstanding,” Ebong said.
He further confirmed that salaries were paid on Tuesday, acknowledging what he described as “the beginning of the implementation” of their demands.
While expressing appreciation for ongoing engagements with the National Assembly and FCTA management, Dr. Ebong insisted that the strike would continue until the remaining issues are resolved.
He also called on government authorities to adopt a proactive approach to addressing workers’ concerns rather than waiting for strikes to force action.
“Our sincere appreciation once more to the Honourable Minister for his leadership and commitment. However, the indefinite strike will continue until the rest of our demands are met,” he stated.
The association outlined several pending demands that must be addressed before the strike can be suspended at both the national (NARD) and FCTA levels. These include:
- Immediate payment of MRTF to the remaining 47 doctors.
- Payment of salaries owed to external resident doctors for 6–7 months.
- Settlement of longstanding skipping arrears.
- Payment of overdue promotion arrears.
- Payment of post-Part II conversion arrears.
- Implementation of the CONMESS 25%/35% adjustment already effected in federal institutions.
- Payment of the approved wage award.
- Settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears dating back to 2021.
- Immediate employment of additional healthcare workers.
- Improvement of working conditions across FCTA health facilities.
Dr. Ebong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to dialogue and to achieving lasting solutions that would strengthen the healthcare system in the FCT.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever has claimed 259 lives and infected 1,086 people across 24 states and 118 local government areas so far in 2026.
In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36 (August 31 to September 6), the agency said the figures represent a case fatality rate of 23.9 percent — significantly higher than the 18.6 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
Twelve new confirmed cases were recorded in week 36, a decline from the 18 cases reported the previous week. The fresh infections were detected in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states.
Five states continue to bear the heaviest burden, accounting for 87 percent of all confirmed cases this year: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo. People aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected age group.
The NCDC noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the latest reporting week. The agency continues to urge the public to maintain hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and seek early medical care if symptoms appear.
Health
Nigerian hospital successfully performs kidney cancer surgery via tele-robotic
The development could reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised medical treatment, thereby reducing expenditure on international travel, accommodation and medical services.
• A surgeon performing tele-robotic surgery.
Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, has partnered with RoboMed Global and The Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) to successfully perform what the hospital described as the first tele-robotic surgery in Nigeria and West Africa.
The landmark kidney cancer surgery was performed on a patient at Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, while the surgeon, Professor Obi Ekwenna-Davis, remotely controlled the robotic surgical platform from Redeemer’s Health Village in Lagos.
The procedure, which lasted approximately three hours, was performed to remove a kidney affected by a cancerous tumour.
The hospital said the patient had been discharged following the successful procedure, although details about the patient’s identity and condition were withheld for privacy reasons.
Speaking during an event to mark the milestone, the Chief Executive Officer of Nisa Premier Hospital, Dr Ibrahim Wada, said the development demonstrated the potential of tele-robotic surgery to connect specialist surgical expertise with patients across Nigeria.
Wada said the procedure was carried out using the MicroPort robotic surgical platform installed at Nisa Premier Hospital, with the remote surgeon controlling the system from Lagos.
He said the development could reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised medical treatment, thereby reducing expenditure on international travel, accommodation and medical services.
According to him, the technology also creates an opportunity for Nigerians to access specialised expertise from doctors located in other parts of the world without requiring the doctors to travel physically to Nigeria.
Source: Daily Trust
Health
Ondo ‘Monkey Tail’ herbal drink kills 49
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Wednesday night, said the number of affected persons has now climbed to 170.
A locally produced herbal concoctions known as ‘Monkey Tail’ in Ondo State has killed 49 people .
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Wednesday night, said the number of affected persons has now climbed to 170.
He explained that the latest deaths were recorded in Irele Local Government Area of the state, where eight persons have died from suspected poisoning.
Ajaka disclosed that health authorities had deployed response teams to Irele LGA and other affected communities to conduct surveillance, manage cases and trace the source of the suspected toxic substance.
UPDATE: Malindi Court Declines to Halt Dangote Refinery Launch in Lamu
JUST IN: Tinubu Departs Paris for Nigeria After Extended Vacation
National Assembly Plans to Translate Laws into Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Business2 days agoSEC Highlights Focus of National Capital Market Conference 2026
-
Business2 days agoNGX Debuts Invest WhatsApp Channel
-
Sports2 days agoFlamingos win WAFU B U-17 women’s tournament
-
Business2 days agoNaira To Dollar, Pound, Euro …Today, September 28
-
News2 days agoNigeria is 66, Thursday October 1
-
Entertainment2 days agoMadonna and Taylor Swift win big at the MTV VMAs
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: Fire Engulfs Lagos Customs Command Office
-
Business2 days agoGhana Moves to Cut Domestic Airfares as Ticket Prices Stay High