The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kaduna Chapter, has said it would no longer allow its members to provide services at odd hours due to insecurity.
The State Chairman of the association, Dr. Stephen Kache, stated this at a news conference on Tuesday in Kaduna, in reaction to the kidnap and murder of the wife of their colleague, Dr. Philip Ataga.
Kache said the association resolved at an emergency State Executive Council meeting that the State and Federal Governments should immediately rescue the innocent children of Ataga alive, so they can salvage whatever is left of the broken family.
He lamented the apparent lack of clear cut rescue plan.
According to him, the kidnap has caused psychological trauma to the immediate family and body of doctors in the state.
“The apparent targeting of doctors and their families has dampened the morale of doctors who no longer feel safe to attend to emergencies at odd hours.
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“This, coupled with the recent spate of assault on doctors is a recipe for disaster waiting to happen or better still, already happening.
“The worsening state of security in our dear state and the seeming helplessness of the security apparatus of the state with an increasing rise in the number of doctors as well as other health workers and their families being abducted in the state is worrisome.
“The recent abduction of the wife and two daughters of our colleague, Dr. Philip Ataga, from their home with practically no help from any conventional security agencies despite the fact that it took over three hours for the abductors to gain access to the house is even more worrisome.”
Kache disclosed that the NMA will observe a sit-in on Thursday, February 6, in mourning for the Murdered wife of Ataga, but will attend to emergencies only.
“The NMA and all members wish to state clearly that if the madness and senseless killings characterising the dreadful security situation does not improve forthwith, we will no longer be available to render healthcare/call services especially at odd hours, and also we will not hesitate to direct all doctor members to seek safety where ever and however possible.
“However, if the children are not rescued, we may be forced to take further actions,” he added.
Meanwhile, the association commended the gallantry of the local vigilante whose member lost his life in an effort to prevent the abduction of the Mrs. Ataga and her children.
