Resident Doctors Threatens Strike Over Colleague Abduction

The situation involving Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, the abducted registrar from the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, is indeed troubling. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed frustration over the lack of significant action from the government and security agencies in securing her release. Given that she has been in captivity since December 2023, with her husband released in March but she and her nephew still held, the prolonged inaction has led NARD to issue an ultimatum.

Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the President of NARD, has declared that the association will commence a nationwide strike on August 26, 2024, if Dr. Ganiyat is not released by then. The association’s demand reflects the broader concerns about the safety and security of healthcare workers in Nigeria, who are vital to the nation’s healthcare system. NARD’s call for a national press conference, a protest march, and potentially an industrial action underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency with which they are seeking resolution.

The proposed strike could significantly impact healthcare services across the country, especially in tertiary hospitals where resident doctors play a critical role. This situation also raises broader issues regarding the safety of professionals in high-risk areas and the responsiveness of government agencies in crisis situations.