The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its members to resume work today, following a seven-day nationwide warning strike over the abduction of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.
Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was kidnapped eight months ago on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, she and her nephew remain in captivity.
NARD announced the suspension of the strike in a statement on Sunday, while also warning that it would review the Federal Government's commitment to resolving its demands within the next three weeks. Speaking with Punch, NARD President Dr. Dele Abdullahi stated, "We are suspending the strike now. We will be meeting to review the progress the government has made in the next three weeks."
He added that the association’s members would resume work on Monday, September 2, 2024, at 8 a.m., expressing cautious optimism regarding the government’s response. “The engagement of the government has been a little bit better. But, we are hopeful that they will sustain this current line of action,” Dr. Abdullahi said.
NARD had initiated the seven-day warning strike last Monday, demanding the immediate rescue of Dr. Popoola. The strike drew attention to the plight of the kidnapped doctor and raised concerns over the government's efforts to secure her release.
In response to the strike, the Federal Government threatened to enforce a ‘no work, no pay’ policy for the striking doctors. However, NARD members remained steadfast, insisting that the threat would not deter them from advocating for their colleague's freedom.
As the doctors resume work, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to see whether it will make good on its promises to address the doctors’ concerns and secure the release of Dr. Popoola and her nephew.
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