NARD gives FG two-week ultimatum to rescue kidnapped doctor

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the government for the unconditional release of its member, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

NARD said industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed if her release is not secured within two weeks.

The doctors made this known in a communique issued on Tuesday after its National Executive Council meeting in Katsina from July 22 to 27, themed ‘The Nigerian economy and its impact on residency training: Challenges and Opportunities for a Robust healthcare system.’

The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Dele Abdullahi; the Secretary-General, Dr Christopher Anaduaka; and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe.

Our correspondent gathered that Dr Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at about 1 am within the Senior Staff Quarters at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

She was abducted with her husband, a Squadron leader, Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew who stays with them, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.

After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.

It was also gathered that since the incident, the abductors have called severally at will and occasionally to allow some family members to speak to them, and they were spoken to last on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to prove that the doctor and her husband’s nephew are still alive.

The NEC also observed with grave concern persistent manpower shortage, crippling our healthcare system despite different changes in the recruitment modalities, the casualisation of its members in different health institutions all over the country with consequent jeopardy to their welfare, and the non-payment of upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears for all her members post-implementation in February 2024.

The communique partly read, “The NEC seriously frowned at the alarming increase in insecurities: Kidnapping and assault on doctors, threaten our very existence. The NEC observed with despair that our dear colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew are still held in captivity for over seven months in inhumane conditions.

“The NEC decried their failing health while under captivity and the little to no efforts by the security agents to salvage the situation.

“The NEC decried the nonchalant attitude of the Kaduna state government to the travails of our colleague and her nephew.

“The NEC appreciates the government for the quick payment of 2024  MRTF albeit noticed that some centres and individuals are yet to receive payment.

“The NEC decries the unresolved outstanding issues of MRTF 2023, 2022, and 2021. The NEC observed with appreciation the promise made by the Governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti to pay an extra month’s salary every month to clear the 21 months owed salaries arrears of the ABSUTH Staff,”

The NEC, however, demanded an expedition in the process of waiver issuance by the Ministry of Health to cover the massive manpower deficits in health institutions, a cap on the work hours of healthcare professionals to prevent burnout, and additional pay for extra hours worked.