Posted on: Fri 17-11-2023

Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Enugu State said, yesterday, no fewer than 10 doctors have been kidnapped in less than two months in the state and lamented the spate of violence on its members.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Enugu, they regretted absence of security in most public hospitals, saying that the dwindling presence of armed patrol teams at critical times was making criminals to operate with ease.

In a joint statement signed by the Chairman, Dr. Celestine Ugwoke, and General Secretary, Dr.  Okafor Sunday, they observed that rising insecurity was becoming an added burden to the already stretched healthcare facilities available in Enugu State, adding that  the safety of doctors, who should care for the victims of  violent crimes is no longer guaranteed.

The meeting, which noted efforts and commitment of the state government to security infrastructure, observed, however, the gross inadequacy of necessary security architecture and installations required to safeguard a vast and strategic state like Enugu.

They condemned the inability of relevant security agencies to release report of their investigations/enquiries into kidnap cases involving their members and urged the state government to  rejig current security arrangement in the state through adequate funding, installation of modern technologies and security gadgets, among other security measures that would speedily check insecurity.

The medical practitioners called on security agencies in the state to live up to their duties, scale up operations, end current trend and ensure that culprits are brought to justice.

They also resolved to mandate the management of various health institutions in the state to either ensure that medical consultants on hospital calls are provided with decent call rooms, meals among others or in the alternative provide escorts for them.

They charged health institutions in the state to, as a matter of urgency, set up security committees, adopt the UNTH template while factoring in their own peculiarities.

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