Anambra doctors go on strike over kidnapping of colleagues

The Nigerian 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 Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiaeli, at the end of the Emergency General Meeting on Thursday in Awka.

The order was issued following the kidnapping of their colleague, Dr. Stephen Ezeh.

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

The NMA on August 19 threatened to go on strike if their colleagues were not released by their captors within 48 hours.

The statement read: “NMA Anambra hereby directs all doctors in the state to immediately withdraw clinical services in all federal, state, private, mission, institutional and corporate hospitals in the state until our members are relieved of their duties.

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“NMA Anambra will closely monitor compliance with the above directives through the ‘Strike Monitoring Team’ and defaulting hospitals and members will be blacklisted and sanctioned, in line with the congress resolution.

“The Anambra government must activate all necessary security agencies and instruments to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our abducted members.

“NMA is not ignorant of the hardship that the withdrawal of this service will cause to Anambra residents.

“However, we appeal to the State Government to expedite action to secure the release of Eze in order to restore normalcy to the health system.

“The leadership of NMA Anambra will continue to work closely with all relevant government agencies to jointly create a healthy and safe society.”

Anambra Doctors Go On Strike Over Kidnapping Of Colleague First Posted on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.