The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government for the unconditional release of its member, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
NARD said industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed if her release is not secured within two weeks.
The doctors made this known in a communique issued on Tuesday after its National Executive Council meeting in Katsina from 22nd to 27th July 2024, themed ‘The Nigerian economy and its impact on residency training: Challenges and Opportunities for a Robust healthcare system.’
The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Dele Abdullahi; the Secretary-General, Dr Christopher Anaduaka; and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe.
It was gathered that Dr Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at about 1 am within the Senior Staff Quarters at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
She was abducted with her husband, a Squadron Leader, Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew who stays with them, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.
After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.
It was also learnt that since the incident, the abductors have called several times to allow some family members to speak to them, and they were spoken to last on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to prove that the doctor and her husband’s nephew are still alive.
The NEC also observed with grave concern persistent manpower shortage, crippling our healthcare system despite different changes in the recruitment modalities, the casualisation of its members in different health institutions all over the country with consequent jeopardy to their welfare, and the non-payment of upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears for all her members post-implementation in February 2024.
The NEC decried the non-implementation of the new accoutrements allowance circular and disregard of a directive of the Federal Ministry by numerous heads of the health institution in the payment of its
arrears.
“The NEC seriously frowned at the alarming increase in insecurities: Kidnapping and assault on doctors, threaten our very existence.
“The NEC observed with despair that our dear colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew are still held in captivity for over seven months in inhumane conditions.
“The NEC decried their failing health while under captivity and the little to
no efforts by the security agents to salvage the situation.
“The NEC decried the nonchalant attitude of the Kaduna state government to the travails of our colleague and her nephew.
“The NEC appreciates the government for the quick payment of 2024 MRTF albeit noticed that some centres and individuals are yet to receive payment.
“The NEC decries the unresolved outstanding issues of MRTF 2023, 2022, and 2021.
“The NEC observed with appreciation the promise made by the Governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti to pay an extra month’s salary every month to clear the 21 months owed salaries arrears of the ABSUTH Staff,” the communique partly read.
The NEC, however, demanded an expedition in the process of waiver issuance by the Ministry of Health to cover the massive manpower deficits in health institutions, a cap on the work hours of healthcare professionals to prevent burnout, and additional pay for extra hours worked.
The council also want an expedition in the capturing process of medical professionals and abolishment of casualisation of doctors in its entirety, the immediate implementation of the new accoutrements circular and payment of the arrears of the upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and urged the heads of institutions to comply with the Federal Ministry directives and work towards ensuring payment of the said accoutrements allowance arrears to avoid industrial disputes within their
institutions.
“The NEC demands immediate implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage along with the implementation of the new minimum wage. The NEC demands an expedited resolution of issues on 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 MRTF and all outstanding arrears.
“The NEC gives an ultimatum of two weeks for the unconditional release of our colleague held captive for seven months, failure of which industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed,” NEC stated.
