Resident doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital have joined the seven-day warning strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors.
This strike is in solidarity with Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a colleague who was kidnapped eight months ago in Kaduna.
Dr. Dumbari Mbooh, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at UPTH, confirmed the strike to Channels Television on Monday. He explained that the decision to join the strike follows the resolution by NARD’s National Executive Council to take this action.
Dr. Mbooh emphasized the doctors’ concerns, saying, “We are standing in solidarity with our colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped eight months ago. We call on the Federal Government to improve security and address other challenges across the country.”
He also warned that if their colleague is not released by the end of the seven-day warning strike, the resident doctors at UPTH are prepared to escalate to a full-blown strike. “At the expiration of the seven-day warning strike, we are ready to join a full-blown strike if Dr. Popoola is not released,” Dr. Mbooh stated.
A visit to some wards and departments at the hospital revealed limited activities, with only a few doctors present and a small number of patients waiting for care.
The President of NARD, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, declared the strike after an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Council on Sunday, August 25, 2024. He announced that the strike would last for one week and would be comprehensive, with no emergency care provided during this period.
