NMA suspends medical services in Edo over kidnap of doctors
The Nigerian Medical Association, Edo State chapter, has suspended medical services across the State, beginning from Saturday January 10, following the abduction of two medical doctors.
According to the association, the action was deemed necessary, as a protest against the rising spate of insecurity and repeated attacks on health workers in the State.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Edo NMA Chairman, Dr Eustace Oseghale, who said the safety of doctors could no longer be guaranteed while discharging their duties.
The kidnap incidents were reported to have taken place on January 1 and 2, as one of the abducted victims, Dr. Babatunde Abu, was kidnapped in Auchi, with his abductors demanding N100m as ransom for his release.
Oseghale noted that the kidnap incidents had created tension and heightened fear among medical practitioners, stating that the development revealed the vulnerability of doctors in Edo, and that the association had withdrawn its services temporarily, pending the release of the abductees and implementation of adequate security measures.
“We will continue to withhold services until our colleagues are released and adequate security measures are implemented.
“We urge a swift resolution and expect security agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
He further called on Edo State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts in securing the release of the victims and preventing future occurrences.
