No work, no pay to be implemented by the FG for striking resident doctors

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors members who are on strike have been ordered by the Federal Government to follow the no work, no pay policy, which has been addressed to the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors in the Federal Tertiary Hospitals.

The FG further instructed the hospitals to keep an attendance record for all resident doctors who were available for work.

The Federal Ministry of Health wrote the letter, which our correspondent received on Thursday, and it was addressed to the CMDs and MDs of every FTH in the nation.

The letter, dated August 1, 2023, was titled, “Re: Incessant strike action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors: Implementation of ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy of the Federal Government,” was signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Andrew Noah.

On July 26, 2023, NARD began an indefinite strike to enforce its demands.

The walkout happened after the government’s two-week deadline to comply with the demands of the unions had passed.

The doctors are requesting the following: the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. The doctors are also demanding an end to the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges.

The government, in the letter, accused the striking of being insensitive.

“The various conciliatory meetings by the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment with government stakeholders, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the National Assembly have proved abortive.

“I am directed to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Health has instituted the policy of ‘No work, No Pay’ against the striking resident doctors in line with circular Ref. No.58598/8.1/II/182 dated June 22, 2016.

“I am further directed to request you to maintain an attendance register for all residents willing to work and furnish the ministry of such name on a monthly basis,” the letter read in part.

Reacting, the Secretary General of NARD, Dr Kelechi Chikezie, said the directive was not unexpected.

“We have seen the letter and we will meet as leaders of NARD to take a position on that.

But that policy is not new to us, and we would not say we were not expecting it. However, the position of NARD will meet and take a position on it,” Chikezie said.