In Protest of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola’s prolonged abduction, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has launched a seven-day warning strike across the nation starting on August 26, 2024. This action is a direct result of the distressing eight-month captivity of one of their members. The NARD’s National Executive Council made the decision to initiate a strike at midnight after an urgent meeting, highlighting the dire circumstances experienced by healthcare workers in Nigeria. Following the continuous pleas for the release of Dr. Popoola, which were ignored, a strike was launched.
Dr. Dele Abdullahi, NARD President, confirmed that the strike would be comprehensive, without exceptions for urgent medical care. Describing it as a difficult yet vital move, Dr. Abdullahi emphasised the unacceptable working conditions jeopardising their lives and compromising the safety of their peers. On December 27, 2023, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was taken hostage along with her husband and nephew in a raid on the hospital’s staff quarters by armed criminals.
Several branches voiced their worries about the abduction.
Despite her husband being released in March due to his declining health, Dr. Popoola and her nephew are still being held captive. The recent Kidnapping of Dr. Popoola, who is a nursing mother, has caused a surge of unease and apprehension among healthcare professionals nationwide. With the healthcare system already strained by limited resources and infrastructure, the safety concerns add another layer of stress. Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, took a stand on August 15, 2024, protesting for her immediate release.
The protest was just one small part of a larger movement, echoing the increasing discontent felt by healthcare professionals across the country. In Kaduna, a group of doctors working at the National Eye Centre organised a peaceful demonstration, with Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Okpanaki at the forefront as the President of the NARD branch. Dr. Okpanaki called for increased Security measures to help secure the freedom of Dr. Popoola and her relative. He cautioned that without action from the authorities, NARD would be forced to intensify the strike, stressing that the security of healthcare workers was no longer assured.
Many practitioners experience constant feelings of insecurity.
Her abduction highlights the extensive security issues plaguing Nigeria. In recent years, the nation has struggled with an increase in violent crimes like kidnappings, bandit attacks, and acts of terrorism. These events have not only resulted in loss of life but have also instilled a widespread sense of fear and instability. Many Nigerians, especially those working in healthcare, experience constant feelings of insecurity. The frequent abduction of medical workers, already overwhelmed with their duties, adds to the challenges faced by the fragile system. The threat of being kidnapped has pushed several doctors to contemplate relocating abroad, worsening the ongoing issue of Brain Drain in Nigeria’s healthcare industry.
A comprehensive strategy is essential to tackle Nigeria’s security crisis effectively. The primary focus should be on enhancing the capabilities of security forces to combat kidnappings and violent offenses promptly. This involves improving their training, providing them with advanced equipment, and enhancing intelligence-gathering capabilities to predict and deter such occurrences. The government needs to work closely with local communities to tackle the underlying issues that lead to insecurity, like poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, which can push people towards engaging in criminal behaviour.
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It is crucial to implement a thorough reform of Nigeria’s judicial system in order to swiftly prosecute perpetrators of kidnappings and other violent offences. When criminals believe they can escape consequences, they become more brazen, highlighting the necessity for a legal system that is both effective and open. The healthcare sector should implement targeted initiatives to safeguard healthcare workers, especially those in high-risk areas. This may involve offering on-site residences at hospitals, improving security measures, and providing Insurance coverage for challenges encountered in unsafe settings.