JUST IN: Doctors to withdraw services in Cross River over kidnapping

Medical doctors may soon withdraw their services in Cross River State over incessant kidnap of their colleagues. Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Agam Ayuk and Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke said, in a signed communiqué at the end of their meeting, that they could no longer put their lives at stake. They called […]

Medical doctors may soon withdraw their services in Cross River State over incessant kidnap of their colleagues.

Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Agam Ayuk and Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke said, in a signed communiqué at the end of their meeting, that they could no longer put their lives at stake.

They called on the security agencies in the state to facilitate the unconditional release of Dr Ogbonna Uchenna-Aju, who is the latest kidnapped victim within 48 hours. He was kidnapped on May 3rd.

Uchenna-Aju was kidnapped while he was on transit from Ogoja local government area to his house in Obudu local government area in the state.

The communiqué said, “the kidnap of the Uchenna-Aju has brought psychological trauma and emotional destabilization to members of his family and the NMA in Cross River.

“Failure to secure his release at the expiration of this ultimatum, NMA in Cross River will proceed on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services in both the private, public and institutional hospitals in the state.

“The hospitals include University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, General Hospitals, Medical Centres, Mission Hospital and Private Clinic/Hospitals from 12 midnight of May 9th.

“NMA is not unmindful of the impact of strike action on the good people of the state.

“However, we cannot continue to save lives while ours is under constant threat by armed bandits and kidnappers.”

On 8th of Jan. 2018, NMA resolved, after its emergency meeting, that it will henceforth withdraw all medical services without any notice anytime a doctor or dependents were taken captive in future.