Olamide, a resident in the Bariga area of Lagos State woke up to the notification that resident doctors in the country have embarked on a warning strike boldly stationed in the notification bar of her black iPhone 6.
“Wetin concern me with doctors”, he whispered to herself as she began her day.
As he struggled to lay his herbal toothpaste on the toothbrush, a call popped up on his phone.
It was his little sister from home.
He was told that his mum had fallen ill all of a sudden.
The old woman was rushed to the hospital, but there was no doctor to attend to her leaving the private hospital as the only alternative.
When Olamide was told the needed amount for the treatment, he couldn’t help but wish that the news of the strike was not true.
Now, the burden of paying such high bills ruined his whole day.
The Kidnap Story
You see, resident doctors in Nigeria commenced a seven-day warning strike aimed at advocating for the release of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a member of NARD who has been held captive for over eight months.
Despite being a warning strike, one cannot begin to imagine the negative impacts this strike will have on Nigerians, especially those who are not able to afford a private hospital.
The story of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, dates back to December 27, 2023.
That was the day Popoola was abducted.
On that ill-fated day, armed bandits paid an unexpected visit to the hospital’s staff quarters.
She was kidnapped along with her husband and nephew by the bandits.
Her husband was released in March due to his deteriorating health, but Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
This has raised serious concerns within the medical community.
Dr. Popoola, a breastfeeding mother, has been the focus of widespread anxiety, especially regarding her well-being.
The Warning Strike
Now, healthcare professionals and Members of NARD have taken a bold step to say enough is enough.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has initiated a seven-day warning strike.
With the nationwide industrial action, the Doctors Association is demanding the release of Popoola.
Sadly, the warning strike would be comprehensive, with no emergency services provided during this period.
We cannot even begin to imagine the impact this would have on Nigerians, especially considering the hardship rocking the country.
Negative Impact On Nigerians
The truth is, there are so many Olamide out there who would be greatly affected by this strike.
The strike came at a critical moment for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Resident doctors play a crucial role in providing medical care across the nation.
Their absence for a week will surely strain the already overstretched healthcare system.
This situation highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing security crisis that has directly impacted the medical community.
NARD’s decision to strike is seen as a necessary step to draw attention to the plight of their colleague.
They demand action from the government and security agencies.
Also Read: Nigerian Resident Doctors Begin 7-Days Nationwide Warning Strike
However, it will come with great consequences.
Nigerians will not only bear the burden of high payment but high risk.
Those who are unable to pay this high bill may lose their lives or their loved ones.
Also, unlike government-owned hospitals, private hospitals are rare to find and in most cases located very far.
We pity those who are not in developed areas.
These people will need to travel to the city if any emergency occurs within this period.
