The Federal Government has moved to implement the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy against members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) who embarked on an indefinite strike last week over the non-implementation of several of its demands.
This was contained in an August 1, 2023 circular by the Director, Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Andrew Noah, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your notice the provisions of Circular Ref. No.58598/S.1/II/182 dated 22nd June, 2016 on “NO WORK, NO PAY” and request for the implementation of the Circular to serve as a deterrent to other health workers,” the letter said.
According to Noah, 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 proved abortive in getting NARD to call off the strike.
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“I am further directed to request your good office to stop the salaries of all striking Resident Doctors with effect from 26th, July, 2023,” he said.
The resident doctors declared a “total and indefinite strike action” on July 25, listing their demands to include the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, and the payment of skipping arrears.
The list also noted the upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS, the payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors, and the reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by MDCN.
Other demands are the payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions, and the payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.
See the MoH’s full statement below: 
