Anambra Doctors Declares Indefinite Strike Statewide Over Colleague's Abduction, Demands Government Intervention for Immediate Release

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

The Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) announced on Thursday that all doctors working in both private and public healthcare facilities across the state should suspend their services immediately. 

As gathered by OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) News, this decision was conveyed through a formal statement issued by the association’s Chairman, Dr. Princeston Okam, and Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiaeli, following an emergency general meeting held the same day.

The directive came in response to the abduction of one of their colleagues, Dr. Stephen Ezeh, who was kidnapped on August 15 and has remained in captivity since then. 

On August 19, the association had issued a stern warning, threatening to halt operations across the state unless Ezeh was freed within 48 hours. 

OTN News revealed that the association voiced its frustration over the continued detention of Dr. Ezeh, despite the expiration of their ultimatum and multiple appeals to the State Government. 

They expressed concern that, even with his serious health conditions, Ezeh was still being held by his captors.

The statement from NMA reads in part: “The NMA Anambra branch is directing all doctors within the state to immediately cease all clinical services in every federal, state, private, mission, institutional, and corporate hospital until our colleague is released from captivity.”

The association further noted that a "Strike Monitoring Team" would be responsible for overseeing compliance with the directive. 

Any hospitals or members who defy the order would face blacklisting and penalties, as per the resolutions passed by the congress.

Additionally, the NMA urged the Anambra State Government to deploy all available security resources to ensure the swift and unconditional release of Dr. Ezeh.

Recognizing the impact this withdrawal of services would have on the citizens of Anambra, the NMA expressed regret but emphasized that their actions were necessary. They called on the Government to take urgent steps to secure the doctor’s freedom in order to restore normal medical services across the state.

The association reassured the public that its leadership would continue to engage with Government agencies to achieve both a healthy and secure environment for all.

In closing, the NMA expressed its appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, for their ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and security in the state. 

The association also commended its members for their dedication to providing quality healthcare to the people of Anambra, even in challenging circumstances.