A circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, issued Saturday in Abuja, directed chief medical directors and medical directors of federal health institutions to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy.

The January 8 circular was signed by Dr. Disu Adejoke, Director of Hospital Services, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

The ministry says the decision follows JOHESU’s continued strike since Nov 14, 2025. Hospital managements are directed to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy from Jan 2026, applying to all striking staff.

The ministry also instructed health institutions to sustain critical services such as accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units “through all lawful means, including the engagement of locum staff where necessary.”

“All members of staff who are willing to continue with their work must be allowed to do so without hindrance or intimidation,” the circular stated.

Hospital authorities were further directed to “ensure the security of lives and property within their facilities and to provide regular updates to the ministry on the impact of the strike on service delivery.”

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining essential healthcare services across the country despite the ongoing industrial action.

Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a public health expert based in Abuja, Dr. Gabriel Adakole, described the enforcement of the policy as “was a legally backed move aimed at ending the ongoing JOHESU strike.”

However, he warned that the policy could have serious implications for Nigeria’s already fragile health system.

“JOHESU members, who include nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other allied health professionals, are essential to hospital operations. Their absence weakens service delivery, even where emergency units remain open.

“While hospitals have been directed to sustain critical services and engage locum staff, experts warn that emergency-only care cannot replace full multidisciplinary healthcare, raising risks to patient safety and treatment outcomes.

“The policy also places financial pressure on health workers, potentially worsening low morale and accelerating the brain drain from Nigeria’s health sector,” he said.

Adakole stressed that patients would suffer the most from the situation, noting that, “Ultimately, the patients would bear the greatest cost through delayed treatments and reduced access to care.

“While ‘No Work, No Pay’ may shorten strikes, lasting stability in the health sector requires dialogue, trust-building and sustained investment in health workers and infrastructure.”