Doctors in Ekiti State Threaten Strike Over Colleague's Abduction

Nigeria Doctors in Ekiti State have threatened to go on strike following the abduction of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) organized a peaceful protest, dubbed the “Freedom Walk,” to demand her immediate release. Dr. Popoola, an ophthalmologist at the National Eye Center in Kaduna, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola remains in captivity.

Speaking during the protest, ARD spokesperson Dr. Adeyemi Famous called on both federal and Kaduna state governments, as well as security agencies, to take swift action. “Many doctors in the country have been abducted this same way.

Since then, we can count up to 10-15 doctors who have been abducted. We know that doctors are currently an endangered species in Nigeria,” Dr. Adeyemi stated.

He emphasized the dire doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria, which stands at 1-10,000, far from the ideal 1-600.

This imbalance contributes to overwork and burnout among medical professionals. Dr. Adeyemi also highlighted the broader issues driving doctors out of the country, including poor remuneration, inadequate facilities, and rampant insecurity.

“The lives of the doctors have to be secured. It makes a lot of meaning to us, and we cannot afford to lose more doctors to the cold hand of death and the cold hand of the abductors,” he added.

The ARD has issued a two-week ultimatum for Dr. Popoola’s release, warning that failure to secure her freedom would result in an indefinite strike. “We are asking for the immediate release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.

We are asking that the security apparatus of the country and the government of the federation should stand up and make a serious commitment to the release of this doctor in the next few days,” Dr. Adeyemi urged.

Reacting to the situation, Professor Kayode Olabanji, Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, commended the doctors for their peaceful conduct and expressed his dissatisfaction with the increasing rate of kidnappings and other security threats in the country.

“The government must find lasting solutions to the insecurity in the country, in the interest of all,” Professor Olabanji said.