Anambra Doctors Begin Strike Over Colleague’s Kidnap

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Anambra has directed its members to withdraw services in all hospitals in the state from Thursday night.

The NMA gave the directive in a statement issued by the branch Chairman, Dr. Princeston Okam, and the Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiaeli, at the end of its Emergency General Meeting on Thursday in Awka.

The directive followed the kidnap of their colleague, Dr. Stephen Ezeh.

Eze was abducted by unknown gunmen in the state capital on August 15.

The NMA had on August 19 threatened to embark on strike if their colleague was not released by his abductors within 48 hours.

The statement read: “NMA Anambra 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.

READ ALSO: NARD threatens nationwide strike over abducted doctor

“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 the congress resolutions.

“That Anambra Government should activate all necessary security agencies and instruments at its disposal to ensure ‘’timely and unconditional release of our abducted member.

“NMA 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 Eze’s release to restore normalcy to the health system.

“NMA Anambra leadership will continue to work together with all relevant government agencies to collectively achieve a healthy and secured populace.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now