The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a 7-day nationwide strike starting at 12 am on August 26, 2024. This action is in response to the ongoing captivity of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been abducted for over eight months.
Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was kidnapped alongside her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity. This situation has sparked significant concern and outrage within the medical community.
NARD President Dr. Dele Abdullahi revealed that the strike would be total, with no emergency care services available for the entire week. The decision came after unsuccessful protests and negotiations aimed at securing Dr. Popoola’s release.
Previously, doctors in Lagos and Abuja had engaged in sub-regional protests over the kidnapping. The strike underscores the severity of the issue and the need for urgent action from the authorities.