Abduction: Ekiti Doctors Commence Indefinite Strike

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has begun an indefinite strike to protest the kidnap of a former Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Patrick Adegun, and a theatre nurse with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Mrs Margaret Aladeneka.

In a letter to the state Governor, Ayo Fayose, the association’s state chairman, Dr. John Akinbote and the Secretary, Dr. A. Akinyele, condemned the serial kidnap of health workers in the state.

Recall that, Adegun and his wife, Kikelomo, were kidnapped at about 8.00pm near their residence at Oke Ila in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Thursday.

Their kidnap came five days after Aladeneka was abducted, while a yet to be identified man was killed during the abduction. There has yet to be communication from the abductors.

Consequently, the NMA had decided to withdraw all clinical services in Ekiti State at an Emergency General Meeting held on Friday in Ado Ekiti.

“As a result of the above development, the house unanimously resolved to withdraw all clinical services in Ekiti State until the safety of our members can be guaranteed,” the letter stated.

The NMA had earlier raised the alarm over incessant harassment and attacks of doctors and other health workers in the state calling on the state government and law enforcement agencies to curtail the incidents.

It also called on the government to expedite action on the implementation of the adjusted revised Consolidated Medical Salary Scale Circular issued by the Federal Government since January 1, 2014.

The Special Assistant to the Governor Ayodele Fayose on Information, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, has, however, expressed worry about the situation.

He appealed to the doctors to shelve their resolve to suspend work, saying such step won’t be in the interest of the State, particularly for those with critical ailments.