In response to the kidnapping of a doctor from her Calabar home on Thursday, doctors in Cross River have embarked on an indefinite strike.
Dr Ekanem Ephraim, a medical practitioner at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, was reportedly abducted from her home at 7:30 p.m. by armed men posing as patients.
According to Dr Felix Archibong, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association’s Calabar branch, the strike will continue as long as Dr Ephraim remains abducted.
“To embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services effective immediately in solidarity with our member still in the hands of her abductors,” Dr Archibong said in the communique announcing the strike.
The NMA explained that it was withdrawing its members from all federal, state, private and mission hospitals in the state.
The NMA expects that by withdrawing its services, the Cross River state government will prioritise the recovery of Dr Ephraim from her captors.
The association went on to add that they have exhausted many means to secure Dr Ephraim’s release since Thursday and that a strike has become necessary to force a quick resolution.
“To embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services effective immediately in solidarity with our member still in the hands of her abductors,” Dr Archibong added.
