The directive by the doctors followed the kidnap of their colleague, Stephen Ezeh, who was abducted on August 15 and has remained in captivity
By Emma Ogbuehi
Anambra State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), on Thursday, directed its members to withdraw their services in all private and public hospitals in the state with immediate effect.
The directive by the doctors followed the kidnap of their colleague, Stephen Ezeh, who was abducted on August 15 and has remained in captivity
The directive was made known in a statement signed by Dr Princeston Okam and Dr Ifeanyi Obiaeli, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, at the end of its emergency general on Thursday.
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Recall that the doctors had on August 19 threatened to shut down operations across the state if Ezeh was not freed from captivity after 48 hours.
The association expressed dismay that 48 hours after the ultimatum and the appeal to the state government had elapsed, Ezeh was still languishing in the hands of his abductors in spite of his health challenges.
The statement read in part, “NMA Anambra branch hereby directs all doctors in the state to forthwith withdraw clinical services in all federal, state, private, mission, institutional and corporate hospitals in the state until our member is released.
“That NMA Anambra will painstakingly monitor compliance with the above directive through her ‘Strike monitoring team’ and that defaulting hospitals and members will be blacklisted and penalised in line with congress resolutions.
“That Anambra State government should activate all necessary security agencies and instruments at its disposal to ensure ‘timely and unconditional’ release of our abducted member.
“NMA Anambra State is not oblivious to the hardship this withdrawal of services will cause the good people of Anambra. However, we appeal to the State government to expedite action towards securing the release of our colleague so as to restore normalcy to the health system.
“NMA Anambra leadership will continue to brainstorm and work together with all relevant government agencies to collectively achieve a healthy and secured populace.”
The action by the doctors in Anambra, comes on the heels of recent abduction of 20 medical students in Oturkpo, Benue State. The students were en route the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed by gunmen. The victims, reportedly from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were traveling together when the attack occurred.