The Nigerians doctors under the auspice of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have described the work and no pay threat by the government as a joke.
The doctors also vowed to continue their indefinite strike action amid Covid-19 pandemic, adding that that there is no going back unless the federal government pays the salaries, hazard allowances and other arrears.
Grassroots.ng had reported the declaration of the strike action by doctors over unpaid salaries, lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospitals, and other entitlements, prompting the government to issue “no work no pay” threats on Tuesday, June 16.
In a reaction, NARD president Aliyu Sokomba described the government’s threat as “empty and the biggest joke of the century.”
Sokomba insisted that the resident doctors will not resume working, adding the government is not sincere with the health sector of the country.
“Instead of them to address our demands, they are resorting to cheap blackmail that they will implement no work no pay and sack doctors, is that not the joke of the century from a government that is not truthful? We are not moved,” Sokomba said.
The NARD leader also berated the minister of health, Osagie Ehanire for saying the federal government is paying the hazard alliances of the doctors, saying Osagie’s claim is a spurious lie flying in the face of fact.
Sokomba said that the association issued a 14 days’ ultimatum to the government which expired about 18 days ago. He added that up till now, all the issues highlighted a letter to the government have not been addressed.