The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a one week warning strike, starting today, August 26, 2024.
This action follows repeated alerts to the government regarding their readiness to strike over the abduction of one of their members, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a medical doctor kidnapped nearly eight months ago.
Dr. Popoola, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
While her husband was released in March, she and her nephew remain in captivity. In response, NARD has organized protests across tertiary hospitals nationwide, demanding her release.
The decision to strike was solidified during an Emergency National Executive Council meeting.
The strike, which is described as total, will see all medical services, including emergency care, suspended for the duration of the action.
Dele Abdullahi, NARD President, said:
“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.
In a related development, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has urged the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police to expedite efforts to secure the release of Dr. Popoola.
