Resident Doctors Suspend Warning Strike, Resume Work Today
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its members to resume work today, following the conclusion of a seven-day nationwide warning strike. The strike was initiated in response to the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, who has been in captivity for eight months.
Dr. Popoola, along with her husband and nephew, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023. While her husband was released in March 2024, she and her nephew remain held by their captors. The abduction, which has caused significant distress within the medical community, prompted NARD to embark on the strike last Monday, pressing the Federal Government to expedite efforts to secure her release.
In response to the strike, the Federal Government threatened to enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy. However, this did not deter the doctors, who remained steadfast in their demands. On Sunday, NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced the suspension of the strike, stating that the association would assess the government’s progress in addressing their concerns over the next three weeks.
Dr. Abdullahi noted that the government’s engagement has shown some improvement, which influenced the decision to temporarily call off the strike. He emphasized that the doctors are hopeful that this positive trajectory will continue, leading to a satisfactory resolution of the situation. NARD members are expected to resume their duties at 8 am today, Monday, September 2, 2024.
