The federal government has threatened the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that it may be compelled to implement a ‘No work, No Pay’ order on them if they should refuse to call off the ongoing warning strike.
In a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on Thursday, the ministry said that it found the decision of the doctors to proceed on strike action, amid ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable.
It highlighted that the ministry of health is collaborating with relevant security agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola. The ministry was sure that government efforts are underway, and the measures will lead to a positive outcome.
The statement said: “The ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike action, in the midst of these ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable. As 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.”
The ministry said the measure was not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services were not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.
“We encourage all resident doctors to return to the negotiation table so that we can collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our 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,’’ the statement added.
Doctors under the auspices of NARD had recently embarked on a one-week warning strike to protest the captivity of one of their members who has been kidnapped for 8 months now.
Meanwhile, the leadership of NARD met with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha late Thursday evening, with the minister pleading with them to call off their warning strike as the government was leaving no stone untouched in the effort to secure the release of the kidnapped doctor.
She also assured that President Bola Tinubu has ordered for more security around hospital facilities to protect health workers and their patients.
The Minister said: “I have to say here that the government has heard you clearly and Mr. President is feeling disturbed that these things are happening, and it is not something he wishes to continue.
“That’s why he has been engaging with security agencies every day, discussing issues of protection of lives and properties of the citizens. And so, he told me to reach out to you to plead that he and the security agencies are working hard to make sure that this condition does not persist and that he is committed to the protection of lives and properties that he promised Nigerians.
“In that stead, I plead with you that work is ongoing, that please rescind the decision to continue the warning strike because that as we speak people who are not kidnapped are dying. I know that you are passionate about saving the lives of your brothers and sisters who are in the hospitals”.
The kidnapped doctor had been in captivity since 27th of December 2023. The mother of five kids was kidnapped along with her husband and nephew, leaving the five children behind including the nursing child. All efforts to secure the release of the doctor and her nephew still did not yield results.
The NARD Resident doctor said that the association had undertaken several engagements including protests and media advocacy but that it was when the association was not getting the right responses that they decided to go on warning strike.
