The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has launched a nationwide 7-day warning strike to demand the immediate release of their abducted colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been in captivity for over eight months. The strike, which commenced at 12 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024, will halt all medical services across the country’s tertiary hospitals.
Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was kidnapped along with her husband and nephew nearly eight months ago. While her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in the hands of their captors, leading to mounting frustration and concern within the medical community.
NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced the strike following an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held on Sunday, August 25, 2024. According to Dr. Abdullahi, the strike is in response to the government’s failure to secure the release of Dr. Popoola, despite repeated appeals and protests by the association.
“This strike is a call to action. We can no longer stand by while our colleague suffers in captivity. The government must act swiftly to secure her release and ensure the safety of healthcare professionals in Nigeria,” Dr. Abdullahi stated.
He emphasized that the strike would be total, with no emergency services provided during the one-week period. The decision to withdraw all services is seen as a last resort after months of peaceful protests and negotiations yielded no results.
Earlier this month, NARD members staged protests at various tertiary hospitals across the nation, carrying placards and chanting slogans to demand the immediate release of Dr. Popoola. The association has vowed to escalate its actions if the government does not respond adequately within the strike period.
The prolonged captivity of Dr. Popoola has sent shockwaves through the medical community, highlighting the growing insecurity faced by healthcare workers in Nigeria. The abduction has not only disrupted her life and that of her family but has also raised concerns about the safety of medical professionals who serve in high-risk areas.
As the strike begins, there is widespread anticipation and hope that the government will take decisive steps to ensure Dr. Popoola’s safe return, bringing an end to her harrowing ordeal.
