The Federal Government has directed the immediate enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) participating in the ongoing strike.

This is contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) on Saturday in Abuja.

The circular was addressed to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions.

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

It stated that the directive followed the continuation of the JOHESU strike, which began on November 14, 2025.

According to the ministry, hospital managements are to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” law.

The directive takes effect from January 2026 and applies to all striking JOHESU members, as well as any other category of staff who may embark on industrial action.

The ministry also directed health institutions to sustain critical services, including 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 read.

It further directed hospital authorities 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 reiterated its commitment to maintaining essential healthcare services nationwide in spite of the industrial action.

Meanwhile, in an interview, a public health expert based in Abuja, Dr Gabriel Adakole, said the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking health workers was a legally backed move aimed at ending the ongoing JOHESU strike.

However, Mr Adakole said that its implications for Nigeria’s fragile health system were significant.

“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.

Ultimately, he said that the patients would bear the greatest cost through delayed treatments and reduced access to care.

He argued that while “No Work, No Pay” may shorten strikes, lasting stability in the health sector required dialogue, trust-building and sustained investment in health workers and infrastructure.

(NAN)