The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has vowed to go on a statewide strike. If their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped, is not freed by August 26.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NARD President Dr. Dele Abdullahi said that the organization was fed up with the government’s lack of response to the kidnapping.
On December 27, 2023, Dr. Ganiyat, a registrar in the National Eye Centre’s Department of Ophthalmology in Kaduna, together with her husband and nephew, went missing. Dr. Ganiyat and her nephew are still being held captive, following her husband’s release in March.
“The association notified all security agencies through official written communication following notification of the incident, requesting immediate action towards the prompt rescue and release of our incarcerated colleague,” said Abdullahi.
The Nigerian Medical Association, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Chairman of the House and Senate Committees on Health, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Government of Kaduna State were also informed by the association.
“It is essential that the security of these healthcare providers be guaranteed at all times for a country where we have placed a high value on healthcare providers and the need for them to remain within the country,” Abdullahi stated.
Abdullahi stated that despite the association’s multiple letters to the federal government, the Kaduna State administration, and security agencies, no noteworthy action has been taken.
We’ve been communicating, but we haven’t really had a chance to speak with the federal or state governments or the security services directly about this unfortunate circumstance.
“To demand Dr. Ganiyat’s release, NARD has decided to plan a nationwide news conference and a protest march in all tertiary hospitals across the country.
He declared, “If Dr. Popoola is not released by August 26, the association will start industrial action.”
The association appreciated the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians and security agencies but urged the government to take concrete steps to rescue their colleague.
“It’s appalling that in a country where we want healthcare providers to stay, one of us has been incarcerated for over seven months and 17 days without any form of relief or directive on how the rescue mission will proceed,” he added.
