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Aggrieved doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have withdrawn their services from all government and private hospitals in Akwa Ibom State in protest over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr. John Esu.
Gunmen had on April 30, 2024, abducted Esu, a senior member of the doctors’ association at Oron local government area and he has been in captivity since then.
The development forced the angry medics to down tools in what they described as the insensitivity of government and security agencies towards the safety of lives and properties of the people, including medical workers.
Expressing their anger over the continued captivity of the doctor in the hands of the criminals for over two weeks, the NMA State Chairman, Prof. Emem Abraham said ‘’It had become necessary to enforce the industrial action to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to the plights of medical workers who have become endangered species in the state.”
Consequently, the NMA chief ordered all members including consultants to the state government and privately owned hospitals to withdraw their services saying the action would be reviewed after 72 hours.
“Arising from emergency general meeting of NMA, Akwa Ibom State branch on May 15, 2024, at Doctors’ Mess, Uyo, over the kidnap of our member, Dr John Esu, at Oron LGA, on April 30, 2024,” the resolution read.
“The NMA, Akwa Ibom State has resolved to withdraw services from all government and private hospitals in sympathy with our member who had been in captivity for over 15 days. The withdrawal of services takes immediate effect and shall be reviewed after 72 – hours.
\“The entire members of our association have been psychologically traumatised by this unfortunate situation, and are not in any good frame of mind to continue serving the public, while Dr. John Esu, remains in kidnappers’ den.
The Akwa Ibom NMA branch appealed to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno “to help enforce the safe release of our member unhurt within a short period of time, and to improve security of lives and properties in the State.
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