The Anambra State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has directed all its members to embark on strike across the state’s public and private hospitals, effective Thursday night, in response to the kidnapping of their colleague, Dr. Stephen Ezeh.
This directive to the doctors to embark on strike was issued in a statement signed by the chairman of the Anambra State branch of the NMA, Dr. Princeton Okam, and the Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiaeli, following an Emergency General Meeting of the association held on Thursday.
The NMA’s decision comes after a 48-hour ultimatum given to the Anambra State Government to secure Dr. Ezeh’s release expired without any positive outcome. Dr. Ezeh has been in captivity since August 15, and his abduction has sparked outrage among the medical community, particularly given his existing health challenges.
The association’s statement ordering doctors to embark on the strike reads: “NMA Anambra hereby directs all doctors in the state to immediately withdraw clinical services from all federal, state, private, mission, institutional, and corporate hospitals in the state until our member is released.
“We will rigorously monitor compliance with this directive through our ‘Strike Monitoring Team,’ and any hospital or member found defying this order will be blacklisted and penalized according to congress resolutions.”
The NMA called on the Anambra State Government to urgently deploy all available security resources to ensure the “timely and unconditional release” of Dr. Ezeh. The association expressed regret over the impact this strike will have on the people of Anambra but stressed that the situation demanded urgent action.
“We are not unaware of the hardship this withdrawal of services will cause the good people of Anambra,” the statement continued. “However, we appeal to the State Government to expedite efforts to secure Dr. Ezeh’s release and restore normalcy to the healthcare system.”
The NMA also commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, for their ongoing efforts to improve healthcare and security in the state. Despite the challenges, the association acknowledged the commitment of doctors across Anambra to providing quality healthcare to the populace.
The strike is expected to severely impact healthcare services across Anambra State, with patients likely to face significant challenges in accessing medical care until the situation is resolved.
