…Doctors down tools over abducted colleague in Cross River
…withdraws services in all hospitals, both public and private
By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – After waiting for 3 days without the release of their colleague, medical doctors have withdrawn all their services in Cross River State, saying kidnappers can take over the treatment of sick people.
The doctors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said the service withdrawal is for all hospitals in the state, and until further notice.
CONVERSEER gathered that a medical doctor with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Dr Ekanem Ephraim was kidnapped from her residence at Atimbo by Mountain of Fire, Calabar Municipality on Thursday (July 13) at about 7:30pm by unknown armed men.
It was further gathered that the armed men disguised as patients in need of medical attention.
A communique released by the NMA on Sunday (July 16) and duly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Dr Felix Archibong and Dr Amaku, said all efforts to ensure the release of Dr Ephraim from her captors have ended in futility.
“Dr 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 communique stated.
It added that “Despite all these efforts as stated above, our colleague remains in captivity after 72 hours.”
The association, however, resolved “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, including Federal, State, Private, Mission, and Cottage hospitals.
“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.”
In a separate interview, the NMA Chairman, Dr Archibong said the abductors have demanded 15 million naira for the release of Dr Ephraim.
“Where do they expect her to get that kind of money from at this critical time?
“NMA Cross River is not on strike, we are only withdrawing medical services so that kidnappers can take over the treatment of sick Cross Riverians,” Archibong fumed.
