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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to shutdown hospitals in the state if its member kidnapped in Ihiala is not released immediately.
The private medical practitioner, Dr Steven Ezeh, was abducted at his residence in Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala in Ihiala local government area on Aug 15.
The kidnappers initially demanded N40 million ransom, but later reduced it to N30 millions on Sunday.
At an emergency general meeting on Monday, the NMA issued a 48 hour ultimatum for the release of Ezeh or they withdraw their services across the state.
A communique signed by Dr Princeston Okam and Dr Obiageli Ifeanyi, chairman and secretary respectively, condemned the rising spate of kidnapping and insecurity in the state and called on the government and security agencies to arrest the situation
The communique read: "Our colleague, Dr Stephen Ezeh, was kidnapped in front of his residence at Umunnamehi Village Ihiala on Thursday, Aug 15, 2024.
Dr Eze is a private medical practitioner and Managing Director of Vera Clinic, Ihiala.
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 and our member’s release is
not secured, all the doctors in Anambra State under the aegis of NMA-Anambra will down tools until he is released.
Another emergency meeting will be convened within the next 48 hours to review the progress made so far."
While appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the effort of his administration towards repositioning the health sector, NMA appealed that urgent measures be put in place to tackle the menace of insecurity and other challenges in the state.
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