The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, on Monday, commenced a seven-day warning strike.
The strike is to push for the rescue of a Kaduna-based doctor, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped last December and has spent about eight months in the abductors’ den.
It was held across the country, and left patients stranded as the doctors shunned work.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Monday, held a meeting with the leadership of NARD over the situation,
The President of NARD, Dr Dele Abdullahi, disclosed this in a telephone interview.
Abdullahi said, “We met with the minister and he said he would write to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu regarding the issue and get back to us.”
The abducted Dr Popoola works at the National Eye Hospital, Kaduna.
Meanwhile, patients in Abuja hospitals faced significant delays in accessing healthcare services as the strike progressed. Routine procedures and consultations were delayed, leading to considerable frustration and distress among patients.
At the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, patients and their families were forced to wait longer for essential treatments.
Sarah Adamu, who had an appointment scheduled for her diabetic condition, expressed her frustration: “I’ve been waiting for this appointment for weeks. Now, with the strike, I don’t know when I’ll be seen. It’s incredibly stressful.
“I overheard them saying they may stop collecting cards so they can attend to people they can.”
A retired civil servant, Mrs Aisha Abdul, said the strike caused significant delays in her consultation and treatment.
“I know the doctors are fighting for a just cause, but my condition requires immediate attention, especially because of my age. I hope they resolve this soon.”
