The Resident Doctors Association of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH-ARD) has called for the safe return of Ganiyat Popoola, a resident doctor at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, who was abducted eight months ago.
On Friday, doctors took part in a solidarity walk from their office to other important departments of the hospital.
Ms. Popoola was abducted on 27 December 2023 along with her husband and nephew.
Although her husband was released after a ransom was paid, Ms Popoola and her nephew are reportedly still in captivity.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N60 million before releasing the doctor's husband.
In his remarks, LASUTH-ARD President Charles Aisudo expressed concern over the safety of health workers due to what he described as the degenerative state of insecurity in the country.
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH-ARD)
Mr Aisudo urged the government and security agents to help secure the release of the doctor and her nephew.
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“We have appealed, we have asked, we have requested and we have pleaded. We now demand the immediate release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew,” Aisudo said.
“We urge the government, security personnel and key actors in the country to help secure his immediate, unconditional release.”
NARD Board of Directors
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) threatened a nationwide strike if the victim was not released by August 26.
NARD Chairman Dele Abdullahi made the remarks at a press conference in Abuja, denouncing the government's “inaction” over the kidnapping.
The association decided to organise a national press conference and a nationwide protest march in all tertiary hospitals to demand the release of Ms Ganiyat.
Concerns of health workers
When the incident occurred, Mr Abdullahi said the association notified all security agencies, the federal government and the Kaduna state government, but has not seen any meaningful action.
He noted that the association has notified the Nigerian Medical Association, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Kaduna State Government.
“It is appalling that in a country where we want healthcare providers to stay, one of us has been held hostage for over seven months and 17 days without any relief or directive on how the rescue mission will proceed,” Abdullahi said.
Speaking during the protest march in Lagos, former LASUTH-ARD president Salmon Abeeb said the incident saddens the association and will continue the protest march until the government takes steps to secure the release of Ms Popoola and her nephew.
“What we want is the release of our members. She is a colleague, a mother, a wife and a Nigerian. How do they want us to feel when our colleague is still in captivity for almost eight months?” said Mr Abeeb.
“We are saddened by her absence, but the work of the government must continue. We will continue this protest if she is not released.
“We also call on the perpetrators to consider the day they will face the Creator, they should release our member and other Nigerians in captivity.”
Insecurity affects health workers
Nigeria has been grappling with armed conflicts such as terrorism and banditry among other problems.
The Health Protection in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) identified 19 incidents of violence against health workers in Nigeria in 2023.
It also identified 43 incidents in 2022, compared to 56 in 2021, in which 37 health workers were kidnapped, seven others were killed and health supplies were looted from pharmacies and health centres.
SHCC reported that between 2016 and 2020, 4,094 attacks and threats against healthcare in conflict zones around the world were reported.
During this period, at least 1,524 health workers were injured, 681 were killed and 401 were kidnapped.