The Nigerian Medical Association says that at least 14 doctors in federal tertiary and state general hospitals have been kidnapped in Cross River State in the past five years.
The medical body confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Calabar.
The association’s chairman, Felix Archibong noted that within half a decade, 14 medical experts have been abducted in the state, thereby bringing untold hardship not only to the family of the victims but the association as well.
Archibong, said: “It is worthy of note that within the past five years, 14 doctors have been kidnapped. This has brought untold hardship on the families and members of NMA CRS by disrupting the practice of medicine in our once very serene state.”
He said the association stated in response to the disappearance of Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim, who was kidnapped at gunpoint at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital while prescribing drugs 29 days ago, according to Daily Post.
Archibong, who said members of NMA had embarked on a peaceful protest, accused the government of not being helpful on the matter and insisted that “withdrawal of medical services embarked upon by NMA-CRS” will be sustained until her release.
He said: “We are not unmindful of the impact of the withdrawal of medical services on the good people of the state. However, we cannot continue to save lives while ours and those of other law-abiding citizens are under constant threat by armed bandits and kidnappers.”
