The Federal Government on Tuesday asked the striking National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to return to their duty posts or face sack.
This was as a result of a break down in talks between the Federal Government and the resident doctors on the ongoing industrial action by the doctors.
The conciliatory meeting which was on the instance of Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has in attendance Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora and his counterpart in Labour and Employment, Barr. Festus Keyamo.
The meeting which began at 1:30pm, ended in deadlocked as both parties failed to reach a compromise on the issues of contention
Minister of Health Dr.Ehanire while speaking said Nigeria is the first country were doctors will go on strike during the covid-19 pandemic.
He said Government has the obligation of protecting Nigerians, especially those in the hospitals for one illness or the other.
According to him, all efforts at ensuring the resident doctors call off the ongoing action did not yield positive result.
He said government has met almost all the demands of the doctors but regret the action of the doctors at this trying time.
Dr.Ehanire however directed all CMDs of Federal hospitals to open a register to take records of both those who report for work and those who do not shows up.
He disclosed that the register would be open at 7 a.m and close at 12 noon, adding that an action would be taken against those who did not turn up.
“Health is very important and a critical area at that, and under this circumstance, the health workforce are essential persons. We have pleaded with them over their demands so as the issues can be settled amicably. A number of them do have merits, but the government has also tried to meet their demands.
“Sometimes under pressure the way the system is. We have an obligation as a ministry to be ready to protect the lives of Nigerians, we are not going to allow our hospitals to be empty.
“The government has an obligation to support the needs to safeguard the health of the citizens. The resident doctors have told us that they are not going to return to work anytime soon, until certain conditions are met and we are not sure that they would not continue expanding the goal post every time we try to reach a solution.
Therefore, certain steps need to be taken to protect the citizens, particularly those who are in hospitals. This evening the ministry of health will issue a directive to all medical directors and Chief Medical Directors of all federal hospitals across the country to open up a register tomorrow morning by 7 a.m and record all those who come to work and all those who do not come to work to be noted down.
” Further action would follow that and those who come to work it will be understood they are still in service and when the register closes at 12 noon we will be able to know who come to work or not”.
National President of NARD Dr. Aliyu Sokomba told journalists that “we not coming back, we told them if something tangible is brought to the table, we can suspend the action within 24 hours but for now, the strike continues”.