The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the federal government a two-week deadline to secure the unconditional release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
NARD warned that failure to secure Dr. Popoola’s release within the stipulated time could disrupt industrial harmony, signaling potential strikes or other actions. The ultimatum was issued in a communiqué released on Tuesday following the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Katsina from July 22 to 27, with the theme “The Nigerian Economy and Its Impact on Residency Training: Challenges and Opportunities for a Robust Healthcare System.”
The communiqué was signed by NARD’s President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi; Secretary-General, Dr. Christopher Anaduaka; and Public and Social Secretary, Dr. John Egbe.
Dr. Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at approximately 1 a.m. from her residence in the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna. She was taken alongside her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy. While Nurudeen Popoola was released after negotiations on March 8, 2024, Dr. Popoola and Abdul-Mugniy remain in captivity.
It has been reported that the abductors have sporadically allowed family members to speak with Dr. Popoola and her nephew to confirm they are alive. The last such communication occurred on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
During the NEC meeting, NARD also expressed serious concerns about persistent manpower shortages that continue to cripple Nigeria’s healthcare system, despite recent changes in recruitment strategies. The association condemned the casualization of its members across various health institutions, which jeopardizes their welfare, and the delayed payment of arrears from the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), implemented in February 2024.
The communiqué read in part, “The NEC seriously frowns 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 have been held in captivity for over seven months in inhumane conditions.”
NARD criticized the Kaduna State Government for its perceived indifference to the plight of Dr. Popoola and her nephew. The association also called out the security agencies for their inadequate response to the situation.
Additionally, NARD acknowledged the government’s efforts in the timely payment of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) but noted that some centers and individuals have yet to receive their payments. The NEC also demanded the resolution of outstanding MRTF payments from 2023, 2022, and 2021.
The NEC further urged the Ministry of Health to expedite the issuance of waivers to address the significant manpower shortages in health institutions, implement a cap on the work hours of healthcare professionals to prevent burnout, and ensure additional compensation for extra hours worked.
