Despite Court Order, Nigeria’s Resident Doctors Vow To Continue Strike

The striking National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has vowed to defy Friday’s ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordering its members to return to their duty posts.

The order, which came almost seven weeks after the doctors embarked on the industrial action, was based on an application filed by the Nigerian government.

The government has sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of the striking NARD across the country from further continuing with the industrial action.

The government is also seeking to legitimise the no-work-no-pay policy against doctors.

However, the court, in a ruling on August 23, ordered the parties to suspend all forms of hostilities and maintain the status quo ante.

In continuation of the hearing on Friday, Justice Bashar Alkali of the NIC ruled in favour of the government and ordered the striking doctors to resume work.

Justice Alkali said he based his order on the prevailing health crisis in Nigeria and the need for the doctors to resume duties as essential workers, to curtail the wave of COVID-19.

Responding to the court ruling, the NARD in a statement addressed to its members across the nation, said it is appealing the court ruling.

The statement was jointly signed by the NARD president, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, the union’s secretary, Jerry Isogun, and the publicity secretary, Dotun Oshikoya.

The statement said it has directed its lawyers to appeal the ruling and file for “stay of execution”.

Resident doctors across public health facilities in Nigeria have been on strike for over 40 days. They cited several reasons, including delays in the payment of their salaries and allowances.

The strike coincided with a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, leaving many worried that it could have serious consequences for the battle against the third wave of the pandemic.

-Premium Times