The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) has joined the growing number of medical professionals demanding the release of their abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

Dr Popoola, an ophthalmologist with the National Eye Center in Kaduna, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. Although her husband was freed in March, Dr. Popoola remains in captivity.

During a peaceful protest dubbed the “Freedom Walk,” ARD members made their voices heard. Dr Adeyemi Famous, speaking on behalf of the association, urged both the federal government and the Kaduna State government, alongside security agencies, to intensify their efforts to secure the release of Dr Popoola and other medical professionals held captive across the country.

Dr Adeyemi stressed that the situation has reached a critical point, warning that if Dr Popoola is not released unharmed, the association is prepared to take more drastic action, including an industrial strike.

He pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, as a growing number of doctors—estimated between 10 to 15—have been abducted in recent times.

“Doctors are becoming an endangered species in Nigeria,” he noted, highlighting the alarming threat faced by healthcare professionals in the country.

The doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria is already stretched thin, with just one doctor for every 10,000 patients, a stark contrast to the ideal ratio of one doctor per 600 patients.

This shortage of healthcare workers places immense pressure on the few doctors available, leading to burnout.

According to Dr Adeyemi, this unsustainable work environment is a major factor driving doctors to leave Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, along with poor salaries, inadequate hospital facilities, and worsening insecurity.

The safety of medical professionals, he emphasized, is paramount not only for their well-being but for the overall quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

“We cannot afford to lose more doctors, whether to abductions or other forms of violence,” he said.

He reiterated the call for Dr Popoola’s immediate release, urging the Nigerian government and its security agencies to take swift and decisive action.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have issued a two-week ultimatum for Dr Popoola’s release, which is set to expire at the end of this week.

Should the government fail to act, the associations are prepared to embark on an indefinite strike, a decision they would rather avoid but feel compelled to make if necessary.

In response to the protest, the Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Professor Kayode Olabanji, commended the doctors for their peaceful approach.

He expressed deep concern over the rising rates of kidnapping and other security challenges plaguing the country.

Professor Olabanji called on the government to address the root causes of insecurity, not just for the safety of medical professionals but for the benefit of the entire population.

The ongoing abductions of doctors and other healthcare workers have not only heightened concerns within the medical community but also underscored the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare and security systems.

Many fear that if the trend continues, it could lead to a further exodus of skilled professionals, leaving the country’s already fragile healthcare system in even greater jeopardy.