Kidnappers abduct another medical doctor in Calabar

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped another doctor, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Dr. Emem Udoh, while on duty in Calabar, Cross River State.

 

There are indications that members of the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association may embark on an indefinite strike starting from Wednesday (today) in protest against the incessant abduction of their colleagues.

The Public Relations Officer of the state branch of NMA, Dr. Ernest Ochang, told Southern City News on Tuesday that Udoh was abducted at gunpoint on Monday night when she was coming back from an extended duty.

He said, “This is to inform the general public, particularly those resident in Cross River State that another medical doctor was kidnapped last night, January 8, 2018. This is coming after Dr. Usang Ekanem was suddenly released after we threatened a sit at home action.

“The young doctor was coming back from an extended duty of caring for children which is her passion and had to work beyond her schedule due to the few hands available in her unit.

“We wish to inform Cross Riverians that this is one too many and a direct affront on our corporate existence. We took an oath to save lives and that much we must do. We pay tax and desire to live peacefully in the society.

“This targeted attack on us is unexplainable. What is more worrisome is the quietness of government whose responsibility is to provide security for its citizens. It is our collective resolve to call government to act through whatever means that is at our disposal.”

Meanwhile, the state NMA has called on the state government to immediately declare a state of emergency on security over the incessant kidnapping of its members in the state.

In a communiqué jointly signed by the state Chairman of the NMA, Dr. Effiong Mkpanam, and the Secretary, Dr. Ikechukwu Ukweh, the association expressed dissatisfaction with the incessant attacks on its members in the state.

“It is noteworthy that in 2017, within the state capital alone, five doctors and three of their family members were kidnapped at various locations. We have noticed with utter dismay and drawn the attention of the authorities to an upsurge in the cases of targeted kidnapping of medical practitioners.

“We have also observed with dismay, a dangerous trend in which the security and lives of doctors is being threatened by some disgruntled members of the society, while the state authorities and security agencies stand aloof and complacent at the very least.

“We wish to remind the state government that it is her duty to provide adequate security for its citizens. The state government should, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on security in Cross River,” it stated.

The association warned that it would withdraw all medical services without any notice anytime a doctor or dependants were taken captive.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )