IT’S been 1010 days since former Perth doctor Ken Elliott was kidnapped by al-Qaida-linked militants in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, with his family issuing a rare public plea to his captors.

Dr Elliott, 84, pictured, and his wife Jocelyn, who are originally from Perth, were taken hostage from their home in the city of Djibo in January 2016, where they had run a 120-bed charitable hospital for more than four decades. Mrs Elliott was freed after three weeks in captivity in Niger after her jihadist captors claimed they did not want to involve women in war.

The first and only proof-of-life video of Dr Elliott was released by al-Qaida-aligned group Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen in July last year.

Camera Icon Jocelyn Elliott and husband Ken Elliott worked in Burkina Faso. Credit: Facebook

In a Facebook video posted this week, Dr Elliott’s wife and son David spoke in French to beg his captors to release the elderly surgeon, who was in his “last years”, or at the very least communicate with them about his health.

“I send this message to those who hold my husband. Peace be with you and your families,” Mrs Elliott said, according to a translation.

“I am grateful to those who decided to release me without conditions in February 2016. Dr Elliott lives in his last years and I ask you to release him too.

“My husband hasn’t had an easy and comfortable life — 46 years ago he chose to raise his family among you, our friends and our neighbours. With God’s help, he made thousands of operations and saved many lives.

“I thank the people of Djibo and the region again ... I thank those who hold my husband for the care they have taken (with) him from the beginning, as they took care of me when I was with them. I’d like to find my husband, to spend our last years of life together.”

David Elliott also pleaded with his father’s kidnappers to free him, or at least provide information about him using the encrypted messaging app Telegram. “I humbly ask you: Does (he) not deserve your generosity,” he said.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said Dr Elliott’s case remained a high priority and the Australian Government continued to work with his family and others to secure his release.