An ultimatum of two weeks has been given by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to the government to unconditionally secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was abducted seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
NARD has stated that if her release is not ensured within this timeframe, industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed.
These decisions were communicated in a communique released after the National Executive Council meeting held in Katsina from July 22 to 27, focusing on ‘The Nigerian economy and its impact on residency training: Challenges and Opportunities for a Robust healthcare system,’ signed by the President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the Secretary-General, Dr. Christopher Anaduaka, and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr. John Egbe.
Dr. Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at around 1 am, along with her husband, Squadron leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, within the Staff Quarters at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
While negotiations led to the release of her husband on March 8, 2024, Dr. Popoola and Abdul-Mugniy remain in captivity.
Since the incident, the kidnappers have made sporadic calls and allowed some family members to speak to them, with the latest confirmation of their well-being on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
The NEC expressed concern over the ongoing shortage of manpower affecting the healthcare system, the casualization of members in various health institutions nationwide, the non-payment of consolidated medical salary structure arrears post-February 2024, and the increase in insecurity through kidnapping and assaults on doctors which threaten their safety.
The NEC lamented the dire health conditions of Dr. Popoola and her nephew in captivity and criticized the lack of effective action by security forces and the indifference of the Kaduna state government to their plight.
While acknowledging the government’s prompt payment of the 2024 MRTF, the NEC also highlighted the pending issues concerning MRTF payments from previous years and commended the pledge made by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to clear salary arrears owed to ABSUTH staff.
The NEC called for swift issuance of waivers by the Ministry of Health to address workforce shortages, regulation of healthcare professionals’ working hours to prevent burnout, and extra compensation for overtime work.