NMA Protests Doctors’ Kidnapping

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State branch has protested against indiscriminate kidnapping of medical doctors in the country.

The doctors who carried out the protest march to Government  House, Port Harcourt stated that the kidnapping of doctors was on the increase because of the nature of their work, chairman of the NMA, Dr Idanga Kallo said.

‘There is the general belief that doctors are rich people that is why the kidnappers have changed from millionaires to medical doctors, but if the spate of kidnapping continues unabated, doctors may be forced to withdraw services to save their  lives , he said.

The implication of the withdrawal from service according to the NMA chairman was that all emergency cases coming to the health facilities during such period will not receive doctors attention.

Dr Kalio disclosed that some of the kidnappers now disguise themselves as patients  or relatives to patients and the unsuspecting doctors easily fall victims.

Kalio noted that the protest was carried out following the directive given by the national body of NMA in respect of the incessant kidnapping of medical doctors in Nigeria.

The NMA chairman, however urged government and security agencies at all levels to assist doctors to remain focused in carrying out their duties in the health institutions.

In his response, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Magnus Abe, who received members of the NMA stated that government is determined to protect the lives and properties of its citizenry.

Hon Abe noted that any one who is caught in the act of kidnapping should be made to face the law.

He thanked members of NMA for making their feeling known as it relates to kidnapping and promised that government would do something to address the situation.