Court orders doctors to resume work, NARD vows to appeal

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered resident doctors to immediately suspend the ongoing strike.

Justice Bashir Alkali Friday ruled that the doctors must return to work to save human lives, which he noted, were threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases.

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The order followed an interlocutory application brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Health against the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The resident doctors had through their lawyer, Femi Aborisade, sought to move their preliminary objection and a stay of execution of the interlocutory injunction, but were overruled.

He argued that the parties had earlier agreed on timelines for terms of settlement but the federal government unilateral set new terms without recourse to principle of collective bargaining.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the NARD has vowed to appeal against the ruling.

In a joint statement signed by its President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi; Publicity/Social Secretary, Dr Dotun Osikoya and the Secretary General, Dr Jerry Isogun, the association said it was not satisfied with the order.

The statement said, “We are not satisfied with the ruling. After consultations with our lawyers, we have instructed our lawyers to appeal the ruling and file application for stay of execution.”

NARD said that it had been denied fair hearing by the court‘s refusal to hear and determine its Notice of Preliminary Objection before taking the government’s application for interlocutory injunction.

While urging all its members to remain calm and resolute, the association said it was committed to protecting their rights within the confines of the law.