- On 13 July, a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, was kidnapped from her residence by armed men who pretended to be patients
- Demanded unconditional release of its member from Kidnappers
Doctors in Cross River on Sunday embarked on a total and indefinite strike in solidarity with one of their members abducted on Thursday from her residence in Calabar, the state capital.
This was contained in a communique signed by Felix Archibong, chairperson of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River branch, after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on Sunday in Calabar.
It would be recalled that on Thursday, 13 July, Ekanem Ephraim, a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), was kidnapped from her residence by armed men who pretended to be patients at about 7.30 p.m.
The doctors noted that despite all their efforts to ensure the release of their colleague, Ms Ephraim has remained in captivity.
The association after that resolved to do the following:
“To embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services effective immediately in solidarity with our member still in the hands of her abductors.
“This withdrawal of medical service will involve all hospitals in the state, federal, state, private and Mission.
“The State government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our member in the hands of her abductors.”
They added that NMA in Cross River was not oblivious to the hardship its withdrawal of services would have on the citizens but appealed to the relevant security agencies to ensure a timely release of its abducted member.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was not the first time the association would embark on a strike on account of the abduction of its member in Cross River.
In another story, the Resident Doctors at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi have commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for the timely payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, at the revised rate.
The MRTF, according to the doctors is a program designed to provide financial support to cover various expenses associated with residency trainings, including examination fees, update fees, research projects, and other costs related to doctors’ trainings.
The doctors, in a statement issued weekend by the Secretary General, Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, BSUTH, Dr. Omale Odejo on behalf of the President, Dr. Moses Agwa, thanked the Governor for ensuring seamless operation of residency training in the institution.
Dr. Agwa who commended the Governor for his commitment towards the welfare of medical doctors and the overall growth of the health sector in the state urged him to sustain the tempo.
The ARD President noted that “with the timely payment, Governor Alia has made history by becoming the first Nigerian Governor to make the payment in the year 2023, considering that the amount was increased in the year 2022, almost doubling the previous sum.”
He said “the Governor’s action which will enable the doctors to meet the registration deadline for both the exams and the course updates, has demonstrated his understanding of the crucial role the medical professionals play in Benue through the provision of quality healthcare delivery to the people of the state.”
The ARD President, urged other stakeholders in the state to “emulate the Governor’s remarkable example, dedication and commitment to the advancement of professional medical services across the state.”
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