On the resident doctors strike, the Federal government has instructed all Chief medical Directors and Medical Directors in the Federal Tertiary Hospitals.
The government wants the medical directors to implement a no work,no pay policy on the striking resident doctors and to maintain an attendance register for all resident doctors willing to work.
This was revealed in a letter made known to newsmen on Thursday, signed By the Federal Ministry of Health and addressed to the CMDs and MDs of all FTHs in the country.
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.
GOVIMA had reported that the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, to press home its demands. The strike barely the 14-days ultimatum given to the federal government expired and their demands are not met
The doctors are calling for several demands, including the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers, an end to the downgrading of membership certificates by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges, prompt payment of all salary arrears, implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, a new hazard allowance, and the adoption of the Medical Residency Training Act, among other requests.
The government, in the letter, accused the strikers 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, NARD will meet and take a position on it,” Chikezie said.
