Resident doctors plan strike August 12 over kidnapped colleague

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has scheduled August 12 for a nationwide protest following the abduction of one of its members at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna State, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped on December 27, 2023.

The national president of the association, Dr Dele Abdullahi, disclosed this to our correspondent on Tuesday.

Popoola was abducted with her husband and nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, a student at the Airforce Technology Institute. However, Popoola’s husband was released after paying a ransom.

Since the incident, according to NARD, the abductors have called severally at will and occasionally allow some family members to speak to them.

“They were spoken to last on Wednesday 24th July 2024 to prove that they were both alive.”

Abdullahi said the association had given a two-week ultimatum for Popoola’s release from the kidnappers’ den before it would begin a nationwide protest on August 12.

The association added that the protest would begin with affiliate centres in Kaduna and then to other centres nationwide before the August 12 nationwide protest

Speaking on steps taken to secure the doctor’s release, Abdullahi disclosed that the association in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Kaduna state and management of National Eye Centre Kaduna, on January 11 and July 30, 2024, wrote letters to inform the Department of State Service, National Intelligence Agency, and the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser.

It added that it had also informed the Ministry of Health, with the Minister for health promising to interface with the NSA to expedite rescue efforts.

“NARD also intimated the Minister of State for Labour and Employment during the dispute resolution meeting called on the 27th of May 2023 where she promised to also interface with the security agents to expedite rescue actions.

“The management of the National Eye Centre Kaduna wrote letters to inform the Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS in Kaduna state and had also interfaced severally with the Commanders of Airforce base Kaduna and One division Kaduna since 27th December 2023.

NARD further disclosed that the NMA Kaduna branch has also written to the Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS Kaduna state about the disappearance of the duo.

The resident doctors also said the management of NEC and NMA Kaduna have written to the Governor and deputy governor of the state. However, “Both are yet to make any statement on the issue since onset despite several letters and pleas,” NARD added.

The association has also expressed displeasure over the incident with the hashtag #BringBackDrGaniyat.

While calling for prompt action to be taken, the duo of Popoola and Abdul-Mugniy are still in captivity.

Taking to X and Instagram, NARD noted it desperately needed help to bring the kidnapped doctor back home.

It described Popoola as “a dedicated professional, loving wife and mother, whose absence hurt her family.”

It added, “7 months, not 7 minutes, a mother, sister, aunt, wife, helpmaid has been in captivity. Bring Back Dr Ganiyat, please.”

“We implore the authorities to intensify their efforts to secure Ganiyat’s immediate release. Every second she remains in captivity is a second too long.”

NARD is an affiliation of the NMA with 76 branches domiciled mainly in Federally and State-owned Teaching Hospitals, Specialist Hospitals and Public health institutions.

It is the parent body of all the chapters of the Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria.

In May 2024, a BusinessDay investigation revealed that resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology  Teaching Hospital faced a multitude of challenges, including gruelling workloads, stagnant salaries, and a low hazard allowance. This situation has led to a concerning exodus of staff, jeopardising the quality of care provided at the facility and leading to a situation where 70 resident doctors, 10 house officers are doing the work of 238 individuals.