Resident Doctors Launch 7-Day Warning Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a seven-day warning strike across all its centres nationwide, effective from 12 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024. The strike is in protest of the prolonged captivity of one of their members, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held by kidnappers for over eight months.

NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced the decision in a statement released shortly after an emergency virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Dr. Abdullahi emphasized that the strike action would be total, with no emergency care services provided during the period.

“This strike is a reflection of our deep concern and frustration over the continued abduction of our colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been in captivity for far too long. We cannot, in good conscience, continue to work under these circumstances,” Dr. Abdullahi said.

Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted nearly eight months ago alongside her husband and nephew. Although her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in the custody of their captors.

In recent weeks, members of NARD had organized protests across tertiary hospitals in the country, demanding the immediate release of Dr. Popoola. The protests, however, failed to yield the desired results, leading to the decision to embark on the warning strike.

As the strike begins, the association has called on the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to secure the release of Dr. Popoola and her nephew, stressing that the safety and security of medical professionals are paramount for the effective functioning of the health sector.

The resident doctors have also urged the public to understand the necessity of this action, stating that their stance is not just about one individual but about ensuring the safety and well-being of all healthcare workers in Nigeria.