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 directed 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 titled “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 strike 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 charged the strike with being insensitive 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 various meetings, but to no avail.
“I am directed to inform 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.
The letter said, in part, “I am further directed to request you to maintain an attendance register for all residents who are willing to work and furnish the ministry of such names on a monthly basis.”
Dr. Kelechi Chikezie, the Secretary General of NARD, responded by stating that the order was not unexpected.
“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 meet and adopt a position on it, though,” Chikezie said.
