Nigerian court orders striking doctors back to work

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria

A court in Nigeria on Monday ordered the government and striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to “suspend all forms of hostilities” in the interest of health care delivery in the country.

The National Industrial Court in Abuja, the nation's capital, ordered the doctors to suspend their strike and government officials to resolve the industrial disputes.

"It is hereby ordered that claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the determination of the motion on notice," Justice John Targema said in his ruling.

The judgment was based on an ex parte motion filed on Friday by the Ministry of Health asking the court to order the doctors to suspend their strike, which they began on Aug. 2.

Members of NARD declared an indefinite suspension of work over poor pay and poor conditions of service. They are also demanding improvements in the health sector and health services in the country

Labor Minister Chris Ngige and Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said a series of meetings with the leadership of the resident doctors have addressed some of the demands.

The doctors are on strike amid an increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a cholera outbreak in around 22 states in the country.