From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Government has threatened to invoke the “No work, no pay” policy on striking resident doctors for the number of days the action is observed.
A statement released in Abuja, yesterday, by Ado Bako, assistant director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, noted that the measure was not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of the medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.
This is as the minister, Tunji Alausa, appealed to Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to call off its seven-day warning strike.
On August 26, resident doctors under the doctors embarked on a nationwide strike over the prolonged captivity of one of its members, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola,.
Dr. Popoola who was a Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
But the has said it was doing everything possible to secure her release.
“Over the past months, the Ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), have been working tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola. High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway, and we remain confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.
“So, the Ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike action, in the midst of these ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable, as we believe that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues,” it stated.
Also speaking during his visit to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, yesterday, Tunji Alausa restated that the Federal Government and security agencies were ramping up efforts to rescue Popoola.
“We are on top of the matter and have been in communication with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue.
“I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, and everyone is working hard to see that she is released.” The minister added that he had met with NARD leadership on Monday to persuade them to end the strike.
“We don’t believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release.
“For the past two days, we know she is alive, and that’s good news for us as the security forces work hard to bring her back alive.”
The minister said the kidnappers have been changing their demands frequently.
“I appeal to you to call off the strike, and let’s keep praying that she comes back home in peace,” he added.
However, Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the association at the centre, said the strike was still on.
He stated that medical and dental consultants have joined the strike as directed by the national body.