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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has directed its members to withdraw clinical services in all private and public hospitals the state with immediate effect in reaction to the continued detention of its member, Dr. Stephen Eze.
Eze, an Ihiala- based private medical practitioner, was kidnapped in his house a week ago and he is yet to be released.
The doctors had, at the weekend, threatened to withdraw their services if Eze was not released within 48 hours.
In a statement after an emergency meeting on Thursday, the state chairman of MMA, Dr Princeston Okam and secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Obieli said they would not be working while their colleague is held in the kidnapper's den since August 15, 2024.
The association lamented that despite the ultimatum and appeal it made to the Anambra State government, Ezeh is still languishing in the hands of his abductors in spite of his health challenges.
Their statement read: “The 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.
That NMA Anambra will painstakingly monitor compliance with the directive through her ‘Strike Monitoring Team’ and defaulting hospitals and members will be blacklisted/ penalized in line with congress resolutions.
That Anambra State government should activate all necessary security agencies and instruments at its disposal to ensure ‘’timely and unconditional release’of our abducted member.
While NMA Anambra State 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 the release of our colleague so as to restore normalcy to the health system.
NMA Anambra leadership will continue to brainstorm and work together with all relevant government agencies to collectively achieve a healthy and secured populace.”
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The association, however, commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, and his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike for their painstaking effort towards improving health care delivery and security in the State.
The body also commended doctors for their resolve and commitment towards offering quality health care to Anambra people.
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