The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a seven-day warning strike in response to the prolonged abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola. Dr. Popoola, who works as a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. Although her husband was released in March 2024, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the President of NARD, announced the strike following an Emergency National Executive Council meeting. The strike is set to begin at midnight on Monday, August 26, 2024, and will last for seven days. Dr. Abdullahi emphasized that the strike will be total, with no concessions or emergency care provided during this period.
This decision comes after widespread protests by NARD members at tertiary hospitals across Nigeria, demanding Dr. Popoola’s release and highlighting the insecurity faced by healthcare professionals in the country.