Resident doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) have joined the seven-day warning strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

This strike is in solidarity with their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped eight months ago in Kaduna. Dr. Dumbari Mbooh, the President of the UPTH chapter, confirmed that the strike aligns with a decision made by NARD’s National Executive Council.

Dr. Mbooh emphasized that the resident doctors at UPTH are committed to supporting the cause and have been fully informed of the strike action. The doctors are calling on the Federal Government to enhance security measures and address the ongoing challenges across the country. He also warned that if Dr. Popoola is not released by the end of the seven-day warning strike, the doctors are ready to escalate to a full-blown strike.

Currently, UPTH is experiencing reduced medical services, with only a handful of doctors present in the wards and departments. Patients are facing delays as the hospital operates with a skeleton staff during this period of industrial action. The President of NARD, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced that the strike would be total, with no emergency care provided during this time.