Ganiyat Popoola: FG Begs Resident Doctors To End Strike

The federal government has appealed to resident doctors, under the auspices of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to call off their seven-day warning strike.

The Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, made the appeal on Thursday during his visit to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.

Naija News recalls the resident doctors, on August 26, embarked on a nationwide strike action to press home their demand for the rescue of their kidnapped member, Ganiyat Popoola, who is a registrar in the department of ophthalmology at the centre.

Popoola was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, alongside her husband and nephew.

While her husband was released in March after discussions with the abductors, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.

Speaking on the situation, Alausa said the government is not silent about the kidnapped doctor, as efforts are in top gear to ensure her rescue and safe return.

The Minister added that all relevant security agencies are working to ensure her safe rescue.

“We are on top of the matter and have been in communication with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue,” he said.

“I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, and everyone is working hard to see that she is released.”

The Minister said the strike by NARD members may not help the situation and appealed to the striking doctors to resume work.

He confirmed that the kidnapped doctor is still alive, adding that the kidnappers have been changing their demands frequently.

“We don’t believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release,” he said.

“For the past two days, we know she is alive, and that’s good news for us as the security forces work hard to bring her back alive.

“I appeal to you to call off the strike, and let’s keep praying that she comes back home in peace,” he added.

However, the NARD chairman in the centre, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the strike is still on.

He stated that medical and dental consultants have joined the strike as directed by the national body.