By Huldah Shado
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch, has issued a 14-day strike ultimatum to the management of the National Hospital Abuja, demanding the immediate reinstatement of three medical doctors dismissed after serving as locum consultants for three years.
The association warned that failure to meet this demand would trigger a full and indefinite strike action by its members at the hospital, beginning June 30, 2025.
In a strongly worded memo dated June 13 and addressed to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, the NMA FCT described the doctors’ dismissal as “unfair targeting” and “unjust singling out.”
It said the action reflects deeper systemic problems within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to the association, multiple efforts to resolve the issue amicably, including interventions by the NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu; the FCT Chairman; and a delegation of senior medical professionals were unsuccessful.
The NMA expressed concern over the broader implications of the dismissals, warning that the move would exacerbate the country’s ongoing brain drain and deepen the existing shortage of medical personnel.
It also highlighted the psychological and economic toll such actions have on healthcare workers.
The association announced it would commence a warning strike from June 15 to June 29. Should the affected doctors not be reinstated by the end of the warning strike, a total shutdown of medical services at the National Hospital Abuja would begin on June 30.
Furthermore, the NMA warned that if the hospital management fails to respond one week into the indefinite strike, its entire FCT membership would join the action effectively crippling public healthcare services across the territory.
The association urged the hospital leadership to act swiftly and responsibly to prevent a major disruption to healthcare delivery in the capital.
