FG to implement ‘no work, no pay’ for striking resident doctors

The Federal Government has directed the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors in the Federal Tertiary Hospitals to implement the no work, no pay policy on the striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.

The FG also directed the hospitals to maintain an attendance register for all resident doctors willing to work.

The letter obtained by our correspondent on Thursday was written 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.

NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, to press home its demands.

The strike followed the expiration of a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet its demands.

The doctors are demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; 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; among others.