Nigeria, Sept. 16 -- (By Nike Adebowale-Tambe, Fortune Eromonsele and Zainab Adewale)

Healthcare services across the Federal Capital Territory were thrown into disarray on Monday after the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT chapter (ARD-FCT) embarked on an indefinite strike, forcing hospitals to discharge patients and suspend routine care.

The action comes after the doctors' seven-day warning strike elapsed without progress in negotiations with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT).

Among the issues driving the action are shortage of manpower, poor welfare, unpaid salaries, unexplained deductions, the psychological toll of long working hours, and the absence of new recruitment in FCT hospitals since 2011.

ARD-FCT Presid...