Nigerian resident doctors, represented by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), have suspended their seven-day warning strike and are set to resume duties as of today, September 2.
NARD President Dele Abdullahi announced the suspension, revealing that the decision followed successful discussions with the government. The strike, which began on August 26, was initially launched to demand the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a NARD member who has been held captive for over eight months.
Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March after negotiations with the abductors, Dr. Popoola and her nephew have remained in captivity.
### Government Engagement
Dr. Abdullahi explained that the strike was suspended after reaching an agreement with the federal government on specific actions to address the situation. He emphasized that the agreed measures will be reviewed in the next three weeks.
He also called on the government to enhance efforts in combating kidnappings, banditry, and other security issues affecting the country.
“It was a seven-day warning strike, so we have suspended it. The engagement with the federal government is currently going well, and they have agreed to a line of actions,” Abdullahi said. “We will meet again in three weeks to assess the government’s progress.”
The suspension of the strike marks a temporary relief for the healthcare sector, as doctors return to their duties while continuing to advocate for improved security measures.
Discussion about this post