The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has described as ‘insensitive’ the Federal Government’s threat to deduct seven days’ pay from doctors’ salaries after they went on strike demanding the rescue of a kidnapped colleague.
The strike, a seven-day warning action, was in response to the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, in December 2023. Nearly nine months later, the resident doctors called for her safe return.
In reaction, the government announced that the striking doctors would forfeit seven days’ pay under its “no work, no pay” policy.
However, NARD Vice President II, Dr. Kefas Wida, stated that the doctors were unfazed by the threat.
“If deducting from our salary brings our colleague back, it’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make,” Wida said.
“The life of our colleague is far more important than any amount of money.”
He also criticized the government for focusing on penalizing the doctors instead of addressing the issue of the abducted doctor.
“The government’s response is insensitive. We won’t back down until our colleague is safe.”
Wida reiterated NARD’s commitment to fighting for their colleague’s release, stressing that threats from the government would not deter the association’s resolve.
