The federal government has made a formal appeal to resident doctors, represented by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to halt their seven-day warning strike. This plea was issued by the Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, during a visit to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna on Thursday.
The strike, which began on August 26, was triggered by the resident doctors’ urgent demand for the rescue of their colleague, Ganiyat Popoola. Popoola, a registrar in the ophthalmology department at the National Eye Centre, was abducted on December 27, 2023. Her husband and nephew were also taken but her husband was released in March after negotiations with the abductors. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
During his visit, Alausa assured that the government is actively addressing the situation. He emphasized that efforts are in full swing to ensure Popoola’s safe return, with all relevant security agencies involved in the rescue operation. Alausa mentioned that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Commissioner of Police are engaged in the ongoing efforts to secure her release.
Alausa urged the striking doctors to end their strike, suggesting that it might not aid the situation. He provided an update that Popoola is still alive and noted that the kidnappers have been altering their demands frequently. Alausa reassured that all possible measures are being taken to secure her safe return and appealed for the doctors’ cooperation in resuming their duties.
On the other hand, Ibrahim Mohammed, the NARD chairman at the centre, confirmed that the strike is still ongoing. He stated that medical and dental consultants have also joined the strike in solidarity with the national body’s directive. The ongoing strike continues to emphasize the urgency of the situation while the government works to resolve the kidnapping crisis.