The Federal Government on Thursday said it will invoke the ‘no work, no pay’ policy on striking resident doctors.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said this in a statement signed by its Assistant Director on Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The statement noted that the ministry is disappointed over the decision of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to embark on a seven-day warning strike, disregarding all negotiations and attempts by the Federal Government to resolve its concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.
On Monday, NARD commenced a seven-day warning strike over the abduction of their colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped eight months ago.
Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
NARD President, Dr Dele Abdullahi, said the decision was made during the Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Sunday.
The statement from the health ministry noted that the ministry will not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety and improve the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors.
It said significant strides have been made in recent negotiations, and the government has demonstrated good faith by addressing many of the concerns highlighted by NARD.
The statement read, “Over the past months, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, have been working tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola. High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway and we remain confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.
“The ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike action, in the midst of these ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable. We believe that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues.
“In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to bring to the notice of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), that in line with extant labour laws, the Federal Government will evoke the “No Work, No Pay” for the number of days the strike was observed.
“This measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of our medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.”
The ministry, however, urged the doctors to return to the negotiation table to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the healthcare sector.
“As always, the ministry remains open to constructive dialogue and is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution,” it added.
