Resident Doctors Begin Nationwide Strike Over Colleague’s Abduction

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has initiated a seven-day nationwide warning strike in response to the ongoing abduction of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held captive by kidnappers for eight months. The strike, which began at midnight on Monday, is a direct action by the doctors to demand her immediate release.

Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the President of NARD, announced the strike during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council held on Sunday. He emphasized that the strike is comprehensive, with no allowances made for emergency care during this period.

“The strike is total, and there will be no concessions or emergency care during this period,” Dr. Abdullahi stated. “All centers, both federal and state, are to ensure full compliance. Proper handover of patients to consultants should be done, and any center found to have defaulted on this decision will be heavily fined and barred from participating in the forthcoming NARD Annual General Meeting.”

Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.

NARD had previously organized protests across tertiary hospitals in the country, demanding the release of Dr. Popoola. Despite these efforts, her abduction continues, prompting the association to escalate its actions with the current strike.

The strike reflects the deep frustration and concern among the country’s resident doctors over the prolonged abduction of their colleague. NARD’s leadership has made it clear that they are willing to take even more drastic measures if necessary to secure her release.

The strike has affected medical services across Nigeria, as resident doctors are a crucial part of the healthcare system. The impact of the strike will likely be felt nationwide, as hospitals struggle to maintain normal operations without the active participation of these doctors.

Dr. Abdullahi and NARD have urged all medical centers to respect the strike and ensure that no emergency care is provided during the seven-day period. The association has also called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of Dr. Popoola and her nephew.

The situation remains tense as the strike progresses, with NARD members hoping that their actions will prompt a swift resolution to Dr. Popoola’s ordeal.