By Ken Chiwendu
Medical doctors in Cross River State have withdrawn their services until further notice following the kidnap of one of their colleagues from her residence on Thursday in Calabar.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Cross River, Dr Felix Archibong, who confirmed the development in a letter on Sunday after an emergency general meeting in Calabar said all efforts by the association to secure her release has proved abortive which is why they are withdrawing their services immediately.
The association said it is not unaware of the pains their strike would cause and called on the state government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of Dr Ekanem Ephraim.
“Dr. Ekanem Ephraim, a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), was kidnapped from her residence by armed men who pretended to be patients at about 7.30 p.m.
The NMA said it decided “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.”
“This withdrawal of medical service will involve all hospitals in the state both federal, state, private and Mission,” the state chapter of the NMA said.
“The State government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our member in the hands of her abductors.”
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