*Nigeria鈥檚 National Industrial Court holds that there is no amount of money that will compensate for the loss of lives of consumers of healthcare services in the prevailing circumstances during COVID-19 pandemic in the country

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Against the backdrop of the continued industrial action by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the National Industrial Court, in Nigeria, has ordered medical doctors to suspend their strike and return to work immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

绿帽献妻 learnt Justice Bashar Alkali made the order Friday, September 17, 2021, while ruling on an application instituted by the Federal Government.

All parties in the court action, therefore, have also been asked to return to the negotiating table for amicable resolution of the issue.

The National Industrial Court also held that there is no amount of money that will compensate for the loss of lives in the circumstances, especially in view of the rising cases of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the West African country.

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Earlier, Mr. Tochukwu Maduka, Counsel to the Federal Government, had moved his motion for interlocutory injunction and prayed the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant from continuing with the industrial action pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit, report stated.

Maduka reportedly stated that the Resident Doctors are persons who provide essential services, and cannot embark on strike as continuing to do so will wreak hardship on citizens.

However, Femi Aborishade, Counsel to NARD, vehemently opposed the application for interlocutory injunction, as he contended that the court discountenance the plaintiffs鈥� application.

Aborishade argued that the life of a medical doctor is not less useful than the life an average human being.

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He prayed that justice must be balanced, not just to the government, but also to the doctors who are the field marshals in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

It is recalled that both parties told Justice Bashar Alkali, the vacation judge, at the Industrial Court September 15, that they were set to negotiate and give the court an update by Friday.

However, the process of negotiation and possible settlement failed, according to report.

Counsel to the doctors said he would advise them accordingly, and show them other options of appeal, but they would not disobey court order in this regard.

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