NMA demands rescue of abducted Kaduna doctor

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for the immediate rescue of its colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, who was abducted at her hospital quarters about seven months ago.

They made the call at a press conference organised before their August 10 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference. Speaking on the worrisome spate of kidnappings involving members and their families, the Chairman of NMA Kaduna State Branch, Dr Madaki David Sheyin, urged the state government to take drastic measures to prevent such disturbing occurrences.

According to him, the association is saddened by the “continued captivity of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a resident doctor kidnapped over seven months ago from the National Eye Centre Kaduna hospital quarters. This is unacceptable and condemnable.”

The association also lamented the brain drain of medical practitioners in the country, saying statistics have shown that over 15,000 Nigerian-trained Medical Doctors have moved out of the country in search of greener pastures.

The association also identified poor remuneration, poor facilities, security challenges, and overstretched manpower as factors responsible for medical brain drain and asked the government at all levels to address these challenges.