Doctors in Anambra State, under the association of Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) Anambra Branch, have clamored for the immediate and unconditional release of one of their member, Dr Steven Ezeh, who had been abducted by yet-to-be identified persons.
The NMA in the state had held an emergency general meeting on Monday, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of Ezeh and threatened to withdraw their services across the state afterwards if the ultimatum wasn’t met.
The kidnapped doctor in question, Ezeh, is a private practitioner in Ihiala, and was abducted at his residence in Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area on August 15.
The medical association had in a communique signed by Dr Princeton Okam and Dr Obiaeli Ifeanyi, (the chairman and secretary, respectively) condemned the increasing spate of kidnapping and insecurity in the state, and had made appeals to the state government and security agencies to attend to the situation.
What They’re Saying
The communique signed by the above-mentioned doctors read:
“Our colleague, Dr Stephen Ezeh, was kidnapped in front of his residence at Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Dr Stephen Eze is a private practitioner and Managing Director of Vera Clinic Ihiala.
“The kidnappers have requested 40 million ransom at first and subsequently 30 millions in the last 24 hours. A 48-hour ultimatum is hereby given to the Anambra State Government to secure the immediate release of Dr Ezeh.
“If at the expiration of the above timeline, our member’s release is not secured, all the doctors in Anambra State under the aegis of NMA-Anambra will down tools until our member is released. An emergency meeting will be convened within the next 48 hours to review the progress made so far.”
While concluding the communique, the association appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the effort of his administration towards repositioning the health sector while making appeals for urgent measures to be put in place to fight the menace of insecurity and other challenges in the state.
Finally, the association called on its members to keep striving towards providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to the residents of the state.
