The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its members to resume work today following a seven-day nationwide warning strike. This strike was initiated in response to the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
Dr. Popoola was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, alongside her husband and nephew. NARD’s strike aimed to draw attention to her plight and pressure authorities to expedite her rescue.
In a recent announcement, NARD stated that while it has called off the strike, it will evaluate the Federal Government’s progress on resolving their demands over the next three weeks. This review will be crucial in determining if further actions are necessary.
The Federal Government had warned earlier in the week that it would implement a ‘no work, no pay’ policy in response to the strike. Despite this, NARD’s decision to end the strike reflects a temporary commitment to resume normal operations while continuing to advocate for their colleague’s safe return and address other issues.
The Association remains vigilant and will continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that their concerns are addressed by the authorities in a timely manner.