Medical Doctors withdraw services over abduction of colleagues in Edo

By Usman Aliyu

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has announced that its members will withdraw medical services across Edo State from Saturday over recent abduction of two medical doctors

The NMA in a statement by its Edo State Chairman, Dr Eustace Oseghale on Friday cited escalating insecurity concerns statewide as the reason for its action.

Oseghale said the withdrawal of services is a a protest against rising threats to healthcare workers across Edo.

The abduction of the two medical doctors on Jan. 1 and 2, had heightened safety concerns among the colleagues and prompted urgent calls for improved security in Edo State.

One of the abducted doctors, Babatunde Abu, was kidnapped in Auchi, with abductors reportedly demanding a N100 million ransom, further alarming colleagues and exposing the vulnerability of medical professionals in Edo.

Oseghale said the withdrawal underscored doctors’ vulnerability and the urgent need for decisive action to secure their colleagues’ release, prevent recurrence, and restore confidence in healthcare delivery across the state system.

He demanded immediate release of the abducted doctors, improved security for residents, and sustained engagement between the Edo State Government and the association on addressing security challenges affecting healthcare delivery statewide.

The NMA chairman warned that services would remain suspended until the demands were met, stressing that a safe working environment was non-negotiable.

“We will continue to withhold services until our colleagues are released and adequate security measures are implemented.

“We urge a swift resolution and expect security agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves,” Oseghale said.

Recall that Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), had dome weeks ago expressed concern over the frequent abduction of its members nationwide

Speaking at the 2024 Annual Health Week and Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the association, Dr Rahman Olayinka, President of ARD-FCTA, described the abductions as a major concern.

He noted that insecurity is one of the key reasons doctors are leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, alongside issues of poor welfare.

Olayinka cited the case of a medical doctor who was abducted from within a hospital premises.

“We are grateful that the doctor has been released, but we all know the efforts that went into securing their freedom. If security and welfare cannot be guaranteed in the workplace, what do we expect?” he asked.