The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced that it will enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy on striking resident doctors.
In a statement signed by Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations Ado Bako, the ministry expressed disappointment over the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike.
NARD began the strike on Monday over the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, who was kidnapped eight months ago. Despite negotiations and attempts by the Federal Government to address their concerns, NARD proceeded with the strike.
The ministry emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and improving the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors.
It highlighted significant progress made in recent negotiations and the government’s good faith in addressing NARD’s concerns.
The ‘no work, no pay’ policy will be invoked in response to the strike, as the ministry seeks to maintain industrial harmony and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
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.
