The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned striking resident doctors that it plans to stop their wages over the ongoing seven-day working strike.
The warning strike was called by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to press home their demands for better working condition and the release of their abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.
The Ministry of Health said that it would invoke the No-Work, No-Pay rule after the medical practitioners embarked on a warning striking that has crippled medical services in the government’s hospitals.
Mr. Ado Bako, press officer of the ministry said government would wield the stick to ensure that essential healthcare services were not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the citizens.
NARD said the warning strike to press home their ongoing demands to the FG, and to pressure President Bola Tinubu to act on the immediate release of their colleague, Dr. Popoola.
Dr. Ganiyat Popoola was abducted in December 2023
Popoola, who is the registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted nine months ago with her husband and nephew.
She and her nephew are yet to be released by the kidnappers, who freed her husbandly shortly after the abduction.
NARD accused the government of doing little to secure their colleague’s release, leading to the ongoing warning strike.
They threatened an indefinite strike if no action is taken at the end of the 7-day warning strike.
The government, through Bako, stated that the ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule aligns with existing laws and isn’t meant to undermine medical professionals’ concerns.
He revealed that the ministries, was working with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to ensure the safe rescue of Dr. Popoola.
He said: “High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway and we remain confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.”
“The ministry will not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety, improve the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors.”
“The ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike, in the midst of ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable.”
Bako emphasized dialogue as the best way to resolve issues, urging striking doctors to return to negotiations for collaborative solutions to the healthcare sector’s challenges.
