The Federal Government has urged members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their seven-day warning strike.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the appeal during a visit to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna on Thursday.
Dr. Alausa highlighted ongoing negotiations to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped in December 2023 and has been in captivity for approximately nine months.
He assured that both the Federal Government and security agencies are actively working to ensure her safe return.
He stated, “We are on top of the matter and have been on talking terms with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue. I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police and everyone is working hard to see that she is released.”
The minister said that he had held a meeting on Monday with the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors over the situation to convince them to call off the strike because it would worsen the situation.
He added, “We don’t believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release. For the past two days, we know she is alive and that’s good news for us as the security agencies are working hard to bring her back alive.’’
Mr Alausa added that the kidnappers kept changing their demands every moment but the security agencies were working hard to see that she was safely rescued.
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“I appeal to you to call off the strike and let’s keep praying that she comes back home in peace,” the minister pleaded.
Recall that the members of the association began a seven-day warning strike to push for the rescue of a Kaduna State-based doctor, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.
The strike, which began as a warning action, was supported by medical and dental consultants and is set to continue until further notice, according to Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, Chairman of the National Eye Centre.
(NAN)
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