From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (JOHESU/AHPA) has expressed full support for the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) as they continue their seven-day nationwide warning strike.
The strike action, which commenced on Monday, follows the kidnapping of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a Registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, who has been missing since December 27, 2023.
In a press statement signed by it’s National Chairman, Kabir Minjibir and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, JOHESU/AHPA condemned the prolonged abduction of Popoola, who is also a nursing mother.
The union said that this incident reflects a troubling trend of increasing kidnappings targeting health workers, worsening their vulnerability and potentially disrupting essential services.
JOHESU/AHPA called on the Federal Government and state authorities to urgently mobilize security agencies to secure the release of the doctor and other kidnapped victims.
It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement advanced security measures to combat the rising threats of kidnapping, banditry, and other organized crimes in Nigeria.
“This is one adoption too many in the health sector where kidnappers have continued to carry out kidnaping activities without any form of resistance from the security apparatus.
The vulnerability of health workers across health facilities in the country is capable of undermining healthcare delivery to citizens and consumers of healthcare across the country. This is a dangerous trend that requires emergency actions by all security agencies,” the union stated.
