A heated dispute has erupted at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul, following the suspension of 46 doctors from Cohort 18 for initiating a sit-down strike over persistent delays in salary payments. The two-month suspension without pay, effective from August 1 to September 30, 2025, has ignited a fierce debate over labor rights, professional ethics, and the hospital’s administrative practices.
In a letter to the Medical and Dental Association President, the doctors challenged the suspension, citing inaccuracies in the hospital’s claims and a lack of clear employment guidelines.
On July 31, 2025, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, Chief Medical Director of EFSTH, issued a letter announcing the suspension, accusing the doctors of embarking on an industrial action that began on August 30, 2025, without adequate notice. The letter referenced the Labour Act 2022, claiming the doctors failed to provide the required 21 days’ notice for industrial action. It further criticized the doctors for allegedly violating their Hippocratic Oath by jeopardizing patient care and labeled their actions “gross misconduct.” The suspension, affecting 46 of the 51 doctors who signed the strike notice, was accompanied by a warning that further infractions could lead to termination.
In a detailed response dated August 1, 2025, the doctors addressed the Medical and Dental Association President’s concerns about the hospital’s grounds for suspension. They argued that the cited Labour Act 2022 is outdated, having been replaced by the Labour Act 2023, which they claim contains no provision requiring a 21-day notice for strikes. The doctors also clarified that their strike was not motivated by the non-payment of July salaries but by persistent delays and disparities in payment schedules compared to other staff. They emphasized that their strike notice, issued on July 17, 2025, clearly outlined their intent to act only after other staff received their salaries, a condition they claim was met.
The Cohort 18 doctors further questioned the severity of the two-month suspension without pay, describing it as disproportionate and lacking legal or procedural justification. They noted that, if the hospital viewed their action as unauthorized absence for two days, the punishment was excessively harsh and unexplained. The doctors also highlighted a broader issue: the lack of clear terms of reference or employment guidelines since their hiring, leaving them to navigate workplace concerns without formal direction.
In their letter, the doctors wanted to avoid further confrontation and called for mediation through the Medical and Dental Association. They urged the association to lead a dialogue with the hospital administration and requested a timeline for resolution. The doctors paused all media engagements to demonstrate restraint, signaling their willingness to resolve the matter amicably. “We believe we are giving the administration the opportunity to correct the misstep,” they wrote, emphasizing their commitment to dialogue over escalation.
The suspension has raised significant concerns about treating medical professionals in The Gambia, particularly at EFSTH, a critical healthcare institution. The doctors’ letter suggests systemic issues, including unclear employment policies and perceived inequities in salary disbursement. The hospital’s reference to the Hippocratic Oath has also sparked debate, with some observers arguing that the doctors’ grievances over delayed payments are legitimate and do not negate their professional obligations.
The EFSTH administration, in its suspension letter, acknowledged the validity of the doctors’ grievances but insisted that immediate industrial action was premature. It noted that salary payments are typically processed by the last day of the month or the 5th of the following month, and meetings were held to educate the doctors on the complexities of fund allocation, which the hospital claims is not solely within its control. The administration’s stance is that the doctors’ actions compromised patient care and breached professional ethics, justifying the suspension.
The Medical and Dental Association now faces pressure to mediate the dispute swiftly. The doctors’ call for clarity on the mediation timeline underscores their urgency to resolve the issue without further disrupting hospital operations. The suspension of nearly an entire cohort of doctors could strain EFSTH’s capacity to deliver care, particularly amid ongoing challenges in The Gambia’s healthcare system.
The doctors’ plea for understanding and their decision to avoid media escalation reflect a cautious approach, but their demand for accountability suggests that tensions remain high.
The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how labor disputes are handled in The Gambia’s healthcare sector. The suspended doctors await a response from the Medical and Dental Association, hoping for a resolution addressing their grievances and restoring their standing at EFSTH.
Meanwhile, the hospital administration faces scrutiny over handling the strike and salary delays, which could have far-reaching implications for staff morale and patient care.
