The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Branch has directed its members to withdraw their services in all private and public hospitals in the state with immediate effect.
This was contained in a statement issued at the end of the Emergency General meeting of the NMA held on Thursday evening.
The statement was jointly signed by Dr. Princeton Okam and Dr. Ifeanyi Obiaeli.
The NMA said the directive followed the kidnap of their colleague, Dr Stephen Ezeh, who was kidnapped and has been being held in captivity since Aug. 15.
The doctors had on August. 19 threatened to shut down operations if Ezeh was not freed by his abductors within 48 hours.
The association said that 48 hours after the ultimatum had elapsed the appeal to release Ezeh had not been met despite his health challenges.
The statement read “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 above directive through her ‘Strike Monitoring Team’ and that defaulting hospitals and members will be blacklisted/ penalised 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.
“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,” it said.
The NMA commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, and his Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike for their painstaking effort towards improving healthcare delivery and security in the State.
The body also commended doctors for their resolve and commitment towards offering quality health care to the Anambra people.
