Snakes take over Abuja medical centres…doctors are dying from bites ARD cries out

By Kingston Magare 8.9.2025
The Association of Resident Doctors has warned of alarming rate of doctors dying from snake bites in Abuja medical facilities.
ARD Abuja chapter president George Ebong while speaking to journalists about poor working conditions his members faced Monday, said that medical facilities in the FCT have been overrun by snakes adding that doctors would be staying away from work for seven days and if nothing is done, they would not resume work.
“All of our demands must be met before we will resume work,” said Dr. Ebong
“We have been believing them for the past years with nothing done. Our hospitals were affected by snakes; some doctors died from snake bites.
“We are becoming harmful to our patients. We can’t keep treating patients when we are mentally sick.
A communique issued by the association after a meeting on 5th September 2025, highlighted twelve resolutions.
The communique read: “Arising from this meeting, after rigorous deliberation, and taking into consideration the fact that management is unwilling to acknowledge the emergency in the FCT health sector, Congress unanimously resolved as follows:
“Congress unanimously agreed to embark on a one-week warning strike starting from 8:00 am, Monday, 8th September 2025, to 8:00 am, Monday, 15th September 2025. At the end of this warning strike, Congress shall reconvene to reassess the commitments and progress made by FCTA.
“Immediate payment of salary arrears owed to all members employed in 2023 without further delay.
“Immediate and urgent recruitment of new doctors must commence without delay, with a firm, documented assurance that the process will be fully concluded before the end of this year. The bulk of these appointments should prioritise medical officers, who form the backbone and foot soldiers of the health workforce. This is not a routine request, but an emergency current manpower crisis has already exceeded manageable limits and now poses grave, potentially catastrophic risks to both patients and doctors.
“Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all members. Most members have already completed or are concluding exams this year, and any further delay will not be entertained.”