A cohort of 56 junior doctors at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), the only teaching hospital in The Gambia, has announced an indefinite sit-at-home strike due to persistent delays in salary payments since their employment began on May 1, 2025. The group, part of the 18th cohort of medical graduates from the University of The Gambia, issued a public statement expressing frustration over the government’s systemic neglect.
The 56 doctors, who completed a seven-year medical program in November 2024, were inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of The Gambia (MDCG) in February 2025, qualifying them for a mandatory two-year internship at EFSTH. This internship, known as housemanship, is a prerequisite for obtaining a medical license to practice or pursue further studies in The Gambia. However, the doctors faced a six-month wait before receiving employment letters dated May 1, 2025, following repeated negotiations between EFSTH management and the Ministries of Health and Finance.
Since starting work, the cohort has encountered continuous delays in salary payments. While other hospital staff received their salaries on time, the junior doctors were repeatedly left waiting. On June 30, the Chief Medical Director informed them that their payments would be delayed by two weeks, a promise that went unfulfilled. As of July 29, 2025, all other EFSTH staff have been paid, but the junior doctors remain unpaid, prompting their decision to strike.
In their statement, the doctors emphasized their critical role in patient care, noting that house officers—the most junior cadre of doctors—often serve as the first point of contact for patients, and work closely with senior doctors to ensure effective treatment. “Our contribution is integral for efficient delivery of patient care,” the statement read. “We are demotivated and frustrated by the people meant to create a conducive environment for us to contribute our quota to national development.”
The doctors argue that the government’s failure to pay their salaries undermines healthcare development in The Gambia, discouraging professionals from working in a system that does not compensate their efforts. On July 17, 2025, the cohort issued an ultimatum to the authorities, signed by 51 members across all hospital departments, warning of strike action if their demands were unmet. With no resolution, they have ceased work, vowing to continue the strike until their salaries are paid.
The junior doctors have called on the public and stakeholders to pressure the Gambian government to address their plight. The strike will likely strain EFSTH’s operations, which are already stretched as the country’s sole teaching hospital, potentially impacting patient care.
This is not the first time healthcare workers in The Gambia have faced payment issues, highlighting ongoing challenges in the nation’s healthcare system. The government has yet to respond publicly to the strike announcement.
The doctors concluded their statement with a commitment to serve, stating, “To your service, we remain,” while urging swift action to resolve the crisis.
