The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if their abducted colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, is not released by August 26. Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, expressed frustration with the government’s inaction over the abduction, stating that the association has written several letters to security agencies, the federal government, and the Kaduna State Government without seeing significant action.
The association has organized a national press conference and a protest march in all tertiary hospitals across the nation to demand Dr. Popoola’s release. If she is not freed by August 26, NARD will embark on industrial action.
Dr. Abdullahi emphasized the need for the government to guarantee the security of healthcare providers, stating that it is imperative for a country that values healthcare providers and wants them to remain within the country.
