The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State chapter, has issued a stern warning of a potential strike if immediate actions are not taken by the state government and security agencies to address the alarming increase in the abduction of health workers.
The association reveals that, within the past two months, no fewer than 10 health workers have been kidnapped, particularly from their workplaces.
In a statement released after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held on Wednesday in Enugu , the state Chairman of NMA, Dr. Celestine Ugwoke, and General Secretary, Dr. Sunday Okafor, expressed the association’s deep concern over the safety of its members. The union resolved to formally notify the state government and all security agencies that they will closely monitor the trend and implementation of their resolutions, including previously submitted protest letters.
Part of the statement emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security measures, stating, “The EGM strongly resolved to call on the Enugu State Government to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that all our public hospitals are well and heavily guarded by armed security personnel.” The association also urged the government to bolster the presence and operations of armed security patrol teams across the state.
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“Unanimously resolved to request the state government to as a matter of utmost priority rejig and revamp the current security architecture of the State through adequate funding for security, installations of modern technologies and security gadgets among other innovative security measures that would speedily help bring this ugly situation to a halt.
“The EGM further resolved to mandate the management of the various health institutions in the State to either ensure that Medical/Dental consultants on hospital calls are provided with decent call rooms, meals etc or in the alternative provide a to-and-fro Ambulance escort for them to be able to perform their duties.”
As a proactive measure, the NMA urged all health institutions in the state to establish security committees, adopt the UNTH template currently in use, and customize it to address their specific needs.#Enugu