The federal government has expressed strong disapproval of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) following their decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike.
The government criticized the doctors’ action, emphasizing that the issues leading to the strike were being actively addressed.
The government’s response includes the activation of its “no work, no pay” policy, meaning the resident doctors will forfeit their wages for the duration of the strike.
This decision comes as the warning strike has significantly disrupted operations in public hospitals nationwide.
The doctors’ strike was initiated to protest the government’s failure to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a resident doctor abducted by bandits in December of the previous year. Despite the ongoing negotiations and efforts, Dr. Popoola remains in captivity.
In a statement released by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, the government expressed its disappointment.
The statement read: “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to express deep disappointment over the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike, disregarding all negotiations and plea attempts by the Federal Government to resolve its concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.”
The Ministry highlighted that significant progress had been made in recent negotiations and that the government had shown good faith by addressing many of NARD’s concerns.
The statement further explained: “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 statement continued: “The Ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike action, amid these ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable. As we believe that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues. Given 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 government’s response aims to balance addressing the doctors’ grievances with maintaining essential healthcare services.
The Ministry urged all resident doctors to return to negotiations to collaboratively find sustainable solutions to the sector’s challenges.
“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 concluded.
The post FG Berates Striking Doctors, Threatens ‘No Work, No Pay’ appeared first on First News NG.