Groups back resident doctors strike

Two groups, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have backed the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on the ongoing seven days nationwide warning strike over the kidnap of one of its members.

JOHESU and AHPA lent their support to the resident doctors in a statement signed by National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi respectively.

The two groups in the statement condemned the failure of security operatives to arrest the kidnappers of the Registrar of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Doctor Ganiyat Popoola since December 27, 2023.

“This is one adoption too many in the health sector where kidnappers have continued to carry out kidnapping activities without any form of resistance from the security apparatus,” the statement read.

“Thevulnerability of health workers across health facilities in the country is capable of undermining healthcare delivery to citizens and consumers of healthcare across the country, and it is a dangerous trend that requires emergency actions by all security agencies.

“We call on the Federal Government and governments at the sub-national levels to as a matter of urgency direct appropriate security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the kidnapped medical practitioner, her husband and other Nigerians in the den of kidnapers nationwide.

“We also demand that President Bola Tinubu should take urgent security measures as the Commander–in–Chief of the Armed Forces to direct appropriate security agencies to use the latest security technology in addressing the hydra-headed threats posed by kidnapping, banditry and other organised crimes in the country.”