The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced on Thursday its intention to invoke the no-work-no-pay rule against members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, who are currently on a seven-day warning strike. The strike is in protest over the abduction of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held captive in Kaduna since December 2023.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the government expressed deep disappointment with the resident doctors’ decision to strike despite ongoing negotiations and significant efforts to address their concerns.
The ministry underscored its commitment to the safety, welfare, and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors. It highlighted the progress made in recent negotiations and noted the government’s goodwill in tackling many of NARD’s grievances. However, the decision to proceed with the strike was deemed deeply regrettable, prompting the ministry to enforce the no-work-no-pay rule in accordance with existing labor laws.
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The statement read, “the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to inform the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, that in line with extant labor laws, the Federal Government will invoke the ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule for the duration of the strike.”
The ministry urged resident doctors to return to the negotiation table to seek collaborative solutions to the ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector. It reiterated its openness to constructive dialogue and commitment to finding a fair and sustainable resolution.
NARD’s strike, led by its President, Dele Abdullahi, is a response to what the association perceives as the government’s inaction over the abduction of Dr. Popoola. The association has vowed that the strike would be total, with no provision of emergency care during the period.
Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was kidnapped in December 2023 along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released after a ransom was paid, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
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