In spite of the suspension of its strike, there are strong indications that the National Association of Resident Doctors, in conjunction with other medical personnel, might resume another protest due to the abduction of Neurologist Prof Ephraim Ekanem on July 13, 2023.
Dr. Uche Ojinmah, the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has issued a seven-day ultimatum set to expire this Friday, demanding the safe rescue of Prof Ekanem.
Ojinmah made this known during an interview with journalists in Calabar on Saturday.
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The kidnappers, who took Prof Ekanem from her residence in Calabar, had posed as patients.
The NMA’s national president stated, “We have had interactions with the state governor and we have made it clear that if by the end of next week we do not get a result, we will take tougher stands because we have watched the maltreatment of medical practitioners in Cross River in the last few years.
“If our member is not released by Friday, there will be a national action that will have Cross River at the epicentre.
“We may withdraw our members so that those people who like kidnapping will have to treat the people of Cross River themselves.”
Ojinmah urged the Cross River State Government to take proactive measures to safeguard their citizens and counter efforts to negatively portray the state. The NMA also appealed to the abductors to return the doctor they had taken.
