The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has invoked the “No Work, No Pay” policy against the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in response to their recent seven-day warning strike.
The strike, which began on Monday, was in protest of the continued detention of their abducted colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola-Olawale.
In a statement released on Thursday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Ado Bako, the government expressed deep disappointment over NARD’s decision to proceed with the industrial action despite ongoing negotiations.
The ministry stated that it had been making significant efforts to resolve the doctors’ concerns and ensure industrial harmony, and that the strike was unnecessary given the progress made in discussions.
The statement emphasized that the decision to implement the “No Work, No Pay” policy was not intended to undermine the doctors’ legitimate concerns but was necessary to prevent the disruption of essential healthcare services to the public.
The ministry also reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of healthcare workers, including resident doctors.
The ministry further highlighted its ongoing efforts, in collaboration with security agencies, to secure the safe release of Dr. Popoola-Olawale.
It urged resident doctors to return to the negotiation table, emphasizing that constructive dialogue remains the best approach to resolving the challenges facing the healthcare sector.
The federal ministry of health assured that it remains open to discussions and is committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution to the ongoing issues.