No work, no pay will 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 Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Andrew Noah, signed the letter, which was dated August 1, 2023 and was headlined "Re: Incessant Strike Action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors: Implementation of 'No Work, No Pay' Policy of the Federal Government."

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 administration charged the strike with being inconsiderate in the letter.

The National Assembly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Federal Ministries of Health and Labour and Employment have all attempted to reach an amicable resolution through different meetings, but to no avail.

"I am directed to tell you that, in accordance with circular Ref. No.58598/8.1/II/182 dated June 22, 2016, the Federal Ministry of Health has implemented the 'No Work, No Pay' policy against the striking resident doctors.

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

Dr. Kelechi Chikezie, the NARD Secretary General, responded by saying 

"We have reviewed the letter, and we will convene as NARD leaders to discuss our position.

However, we are not unfamiliar with that policy, nor would we say that we did not anticipate it. NARD will convene and adopt a position on it, nevertheless," Chikezie added.