Enugu State Medical Association Threatens Strike Over Rising Kidnappings of Doctors

The Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern warning of a potential strike if the state government and security agencies fail to take immediate action to address the rising incidents of kidnappings targeting medical professionals. The NMA expressed deep concern, revealing that at least 10 of its members have been kidnapped, particularly from their workplaces, in the past two months.

The most recent case involved the abduction of Dr. Orockarrah Orock on November 4, 2023, who was kidnapped from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku/Ozalla while on duty. The alarming frequency of such incidents has left the lives of medical practitioners in the state in jeopardy.

In an Emergency General Meeting (EGM), the NMA resolved to notify the state government and relevant authorities that they would closely monitor the situation and might be compelled to initiate industrial action if significant progress is not made promptly. The association highlighted the dangerous trend of doctor kidnappings, emphasizing the need for urgent and effective security measures.

The communique issued by the NMA called on the Enugu State Government to urgently deploy armed security personnel to public hospitals and enhance the presence of armed patrol teams across the state. The association also urged the government to revamp the current security architecture through adequate funding, modern technologies, and innovative security measures.

Additionally, the NMA mandated health institutions to ensure the safety of medical/dental consultants by providing decent call rooms, and meals, or arranging ambulance escorts for them. The association emphasized the importance of setting up Security Committee meetings in health institutions, adopting effective security measures, and closely monitoring the implementation of these resolutions.

As the NMA takes a stand against the escalating security challenges faced by healthcare professionals in Enugu State, the threat of a potential strike serves as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and immediate actions to safeguard the lives of medical practitioners in the region.