The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has launched a nationwide 7-day warning strike, effective from Monday, August 26, 2024, to protest the prolonged abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.
The decision follows an emergency meeting by NARD’s National Executive Council (NEC), reflecting escalating frustration within the medical community.
Dr. Dele Abdullahi, NARD President, stated, “The strike underscores the severe gravity of Dr. Popoola’s situation, with no exceptions for emergency care. Our goal is to expedite her release and signal our urgent need for action.”
Popoola, a registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was kidnapped along with her family on December 27, 2023. While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain captives, intensifying distress among her colleagues.
The kidnapping has sparked widespread anxiety, particularly given Popoola’s status as a breastfeeding mother.
On August 15, 2024, protests erupted at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, and the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, with members demanding immediate action from security agencies.
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Okpanaki, NARD branch President at the National Eye Centre, warned of further strikes if the situation is not resolved soon.
Africa Health Report learned that after the protest, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, appealed to the national security office, urging increased efforts to secure Dr. Popoola’s release and prevent the industrial action.
In recent related events, the Nigerian police freed 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, who were kidnapped on August 15.
Dr. Stephen Ezeh, also abducted on the same day in Anambra State, was released on August 24, leading the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to resume normal operations in the state.
The ongoing strike highlights the critical role of resident doctors in Nigeria’s healthcare system and the urgent need for improved security measures to protect medical professionals.
The outcome of this strike will be pivotal in shaping future responses to similar crises.
