The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has revealed the reason it decided to suspend its nationwide strike.
NARD had begun a seven-day strike over the abduction of one of its members, Ganiyat Popoola.
Popoola, who is a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, alongside her husband and nephew, at the senior staff quarters located within the premises of the health facility.
However, while her husband was released in March after discussions with the abductors, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
Subsequently, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to government over Popoola’s abduction.
According to TheCable, Dele Abdullahi, NARD President, said the Federal Government has promised to intervene in the matter.
“It was a seven-day warning strike so we have suspended it yesterday. The engagement with the federal government is currently going well and they have agreed to a line of actions,” he said.
“We will be meeting to review the progress the government has made in the next three weeks.”
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had expressed solidarity with the resident doctors on their strike.
The union denounced Popoola’s abduction and called on the federal government and state authorities to mobilise security agencies to secure her release.
The union also urged President Bola Tinubu to implement advanced security measures to combat the rising threats of kidnapping, banditry, and organised crimes in Nigeria.
