Medical doctors in Anambra State have ended their indefinite strike, which lasted three days, after initially declaring it on Thursday. The strike by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) followed the kidnapping of Dr. Steven Ezeh, a private practitioner and Chief Medical Director of Vera Clinic Ihiala, who was abducted on August 15 from his residence in Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala Local Government Area.
The NMA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Ezeh’s release after the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of 40 million naira, later reducing it to 30 million naira. The association warned that if the deadline passed without securing Ezeh’s release, doctors in Anambra State would cease work. Following their threat, the NMA directed members to halt clinical services in all public and private hospitals in the state starting Thursday, leading to a significant impact on patients.
A trader, Mrs Onyekachi Ugwueze, who took her mother to Regina Caeli Hospital for treatment on Friday, lamented that there were no services from doctors.
“At some point, someone directed that we should take her to a private hospital, but I was surprised that as we were about to leave, we received information that even private hospitals are not open.
“Friday was a horrible day for us. We only used the advice of some experts to do self medication on our mother,” she lamented.
On Sunday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) announced the end of their strike following the release of Dr. Steven Ezeh. Dr. Princeton Okam and Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, the NMA Chairman and Secretary, respectively, stated that the indefinite strike was suspended and clinical services resumed at 8:00 a.m. on August 25. They expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra for their patience and to their colleagues for their solidarity.
The frequent strikes by professionals in Anambra State due to insecurity, including kidnappings, have become a concern. In May, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also conducted a one-day court boycott and later declared an indefinite strike over the kidnapping of their member, Mr. Chukwubuikem Azoro. Azoro, the Secretary of the NBA Idemili branch, was abducted in Abagana, Njikoka local government area, and his captors have demanded a ransom.
The lawyers’ boycott aimed to push for Azoro’s immediate release, with the Idemili branch leading the action and pledging to abstain from representing individuals charged with kidnapping or armed robbery. While some have commended Governor Soludo for his efforts against criminal elements, others feel his actions have not been sufficient, leading to ongoing insecurity in the state.
