Hospitals Shut As Doctors Protest Kidnap Of Colleague In Akwa Ibom

Medical activities have been paralysed across all government and private hospitals in Akwa Ibom State at the instance of aggrieved doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in protest against the continued incarceration of their member who has been in kidnappers’ custody for over two weeks.

Gunmen had on April 30, 2024 abducted a senior member of the doctors’ association, Dr. John Esu at Oron local government area and he has not been freed till date.

The development forced the angry medics to down tools in what they described as the insensitivity of government and security agencies towards the safety of lives and properties of the people, including medical workers.

Expressing their anger over the continued captivity of the doctor in the hands of the criminals for over two weeks, the NMA State Chairman, Prof. Emem Abraham said it have become necessary to enforce the industrial action to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to the plights of medical workers who have become endangered species in the state.

Consequently, the NMA chief ordered all members including consultants to the state government and privately – owned hospitals to withdraw their services saying the action would be reviewed after 72 hours.

“Arising from emergency general meeting of NMA, Akwa Ibom State branch on May 15, 2024 at Doctors’ Mess, Uyo, over the kidnap of our member, Dr. John Esu, at Oron LGA, on April 30, 2024.

“The NMA, Akwa Ibom State has resolved to withdraw services from all government and private hospitals in sympathy with our member who had been in captivity for over 15 days. The withdrawal of services takes immediate effect, and shall be reviewed after 72 – hours.

“The entire members of our association have been psychologically traumatised by this unfortunate situation, and are not in any good frame of mind to continue serving the public, while Dr. John Esu, remains in kidnappers’ den,” the resolution read.

The Akwa Ibom NMA branch appealed to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno “to help enforce safe release of our member unhurt within a short period of time, and to improve security of lives and properties in the State.”