Photograph Illustration: Medical Doctors 

After issuing warnings to the Nigerian government on its readiness to embark on strike action, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors will commence a seven-day warning strike from today, Monday, August 26, 2024.

This development is over the abduction of its member, Ganiyat Popoola, a medical doctor who was kidnapped nearly eight months ago.

Dele Abdullahi, NARD President, who communicated this development noted that the decision was made during the Emergency National Executive Council meeting.

“The strike is commencing by midnight today. It’s for seven days, it’s a warning strike, and it’s total.

“During the strike, there will be no concessions, and there will be no emergency care,” he said.

The kidnap victim is a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna. She was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.

While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew have remained in captivity. Members of NARD had protested in all tertiary hospitals across the nation to demand Dr Popoola’s release.

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has petitioned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to expedite the rescue of Dr Popoola.

The letter, titled, “RE: Kidnap of Resident Doctor at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna: Urgent Intervention Needed to Prevent Industrial Disharmony,” called for immediate action.

The letter read, “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is in receipt of a letter from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors Ref. no. NARD/SG/2023-2024/290724/788, dated 29th July 2024 (copy attached) on the above subject.

“In the letter under reference, the association informed of the abduction of one of their members, Dr Ganiyat Olawole Popoola, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Care Centre, Kaduna and her nephew over seven months ago (December, 2023) and the victims have remained in the custody of the kidnappers to date.

“In view of the above, the ministry is requesting your urgent intervention not only to save the lives of the kidnapped victims but also to avert industrial disharmony in the health sector.”

“While anticipating your prompt action, please accept the warm regards of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare,” he added.

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