The Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has directed its members to stop clinical services in all private and public hospitals, to take effect from Thursday night.
This order was contained in a statement issued in Awka by the branch Chairman and the Secretary, Dr. Princeston Okam and Dr. Ifeanyi Obiaeli, respectively, during the end of the association’s Emergency General Meeting on Thursday.
The association stated that the directive was to protest against the kidnap of their colleague, Dr. Stephen Ezeh, who had been kidnapped since August 15.
Recall that the medical union had on August 19 threatened to halt work if Ezeh was not released by his abductors within 48 hours.
What They’re Saying:
The NMA statement read in part:
“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.“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 penalized, in line with the congress resolutions.
“Also, the 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 of 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 so as to restore normalcy to the health system.” The statement concluded.
