The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says that not less than 20 doctors have been kidnapped within the year and condemns the kidnapping and killing of doctors and other health workers by insurgents.
Dr Ayotunde Fasunla, the Chairman of Oyo State Branch of the NMA revealed this on Tuesday in Ibadan while addressing a news conference to commemorate the 2021 Physician Week with the theme “Nigeria in the Post -COVID Era: Health systems strengthening for national security and prosperity”.
Dr Fasunla, flanked by Dr Wale Lasisi, Dr Mayowa Alli, Dr Alero Adegbolagun, and Dr James Balogun, all executive members of the association, also stated that a doctor kidnapped in Anambra State still remains in captivity and the release of the others was secured after ransoms were paid.
He also condemned the current killings of doctors in Anambra state and urged the Federal government to do all within its powers to rescue those in captivity while ensuring the security and safety of all health workers as well as every other Nigerian.
He added, “ransom was paid for the release of most of them, unfortunately, it is not only doctors were been kidnapped, but all health workers are also affected.
Fasunla also called on the Federal Government to put an end to the unending strikes and emigration of health workers in the country’s health sector.
According to him, “the issue of brain drain among medical doctors must be urgently addressed by governments, otherwise, the consequences of turning a blind eye to this will be ominous, earlier than expected, while attempts to reversing the trend may be a herculean task with Nigeria being worse off.
This year 2021 will live in our memories for a long time as it will be remembering the challenges that have confronted the health sector as well as the national economic challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The period has been characterized by the issues of welfare of medical and dental practitioners, which culminated in industrial action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). No doubt that Nigerians had a sufficient dose of the unpleasant effects of the strike action by NARD, which we wished could have been avoided through the proactive intervention of the government.
