Due to the incessant cases of Kidnappings involving her members, the local chapter of the Cross Rivers State Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), is to withdraw her services from the public until such a time when the kidnapped members are released and the safety of other members can be guaranteed. The general populace in the state should please take note and ensure the well being of their loved ones. In the event of ill health, appropriate actions should be taken. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. May we all be blessed with good health.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) CROSS RIVER STATE BRANCH AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING (EGM) HELD AT THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CALABAR (GHC) ON FRIDAY 5TH JANUARY, 2018.
PREAMBLE:
In the past two (2) years within Cross River State, our Association has had cause to draw the attention of the authorities to the incessant cases of kidnappings and other urban crimes which have threatened the socioeconomic fabric of our State.We have also noticed with utter dismay and drawn attention of the authorities to an upsurge in the cases of targeted kidnapping of Medical Practitioners. These attacks are frequently perpetrated on our colleagues, while they are discharging their legitimate duties of saving lives.It is noteworthy that in the last one (1) year within the State capital alone, five (5) Doctors and three (3) of their dependents/ family members have been kidnapped at various times and locations.This works out at nearly one medical doctor-targeted kidnap per month within the State capital alone!
In as much as we as Doctors are sworn to an oath that requires us to save the lives of members of the public who are in need of our skill set, we have observed with dismay a dangerous trend in which the security and lives of the same Doctor is being threatened by some disgruntled members of society, while the State authorities and security agencies stand aloof and complacent at the very least.
As we address you today, it is with grief that we make public the fact that a very Senior Medical Practitioner and a one-time Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has been in the kidnappers den for Ten (10) days and counting, specifically from Tuesday 26th December, 2017 and the State Government and various security agencies in the State seem unable to offer any meaningful assistance towards securing his release.
It is from the foregoing, that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State Branch arising from this Emergency General Meeting and believing it has allowed enough time for constructive negotiations, hereby make bold to take the following measures until the safe release of our Colleague from his captivity in the kidnappers den is facilitated by those saddled with that responsibility.
RESOLUTION: The NMA CRS hereby instructs all its members, both in Public and Private Medical Facilities (University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Federal NeuroPsychiatry Hospital, Institutional Hospitals, General Hospitals, Medical Centres, Mission Hospitals and Private Clinics and Hospitals) within Cross River State, that as from 8.00am of Monday 8th January, 2018, to observe a total and indefinite withdrawal of services to members of the public, until such a time that our Colleague is safely released by his captors and measures taken to forestall future occurrences.
We are hereby using this medium to call on the following persons, His Excellency Prof. Benedict Ayade, the Chief Security Officer of Cross River State, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, the Assistant Inspector-General Police (AIG) Zone 6, Abubakar Marafa, the Commissioner of Police Cross River State Command, Hafiz IM, the Director-General Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura and the State Director, Department of State Services to immediately intervene as a matter of urgency, to ensure the immediate SAFE release of our Colleague and to forestall the unpleasant consequences that a total shut down of Medical Services will cause the good people of Cross River State.
We also enjoin the security agencies in the State, to heighten their intelligence gathering and service delivery to prevent future reoccurrence of “DOCTOR-TARGETED” kidnapping in Cross River State.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State regrets any inconveniences this action taken may cause the general public and wish to advice law abiding members of the public requiring Medical Attention within this period, to seek services in neighboring States of the Federation. We cannot continue to safeguard the lives of others, while ours is under constant threat by kidnappers and armed bandits and those charged with the responsibility of offering protection simply watch us suffer physical and psychological trauma.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Medical Association will withdraw clinical services without any notice, any time a doctor is taken captive in future. We cannot continue to save the lives of others while ours is not secured.
Long Live NMA CRS
Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
DR. EFFIONG B. MKPANAM
Chairman NMA Cross River State |
