Patients To Bear The Brunt As Ekiti Doctors Down Tools Over Kidnap Of Ex-CMD

By Chris Nomjov

The Ekiti State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has declared an indefinite strike to protest the kidnap of a former Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Patrick Adegun, and a theatre nurse with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Mrs Margaret Aladeneka.

In a letter signed by the Ekiti NMA Chairman, Dr. John Akinbote and the Secretary, Dr. A. Akinyele, where they frowned on the serial kidnap of health workers in the state. The doctors called on Governor Ayodele Fayose to expedite action on the release of their colleagues and to assure medical practitioners of safety in the state.

Ex-CMD Adegun and his wife, Kikelomo, were kidnapped at about 8.00pm near their residence at Oke Ila in the state capital, Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

Their kidnap came five days after Aladeneka was abducted, while a yet to be identified man was killed during the abduction. There has yet to be communication from the abductors.

The NMA said it arrived at the decision to withdraw all clinical services in Ekiti State at an Emergency General Meeting held on Friday in Ado Ekiti.

“As a result of the above development, the house unanimously resolved to withdraw all clinical services in Ekiti State until the safety of our members can be guaranteed,” the letter stated.

The NMA had earlier raised the alarm over incessant harassment and attacks of doctors and other health workers in the state calling on the state government and law enforcement agencies to curtail the incidents.

It also called on the government to expedite action on the implementation of the adjusted revised Consolidated Medical Salary Scale Circular issued by the Federal Government since January 1, 2014.

The Special Assistant to the Governor Ayodele Fayose on Information, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, has, however, expressed worry about the situation.

He appealed to the doctors to shelve their resolve to suspend work, saying such step won’t be in the interest of the State, particularly for those with critical ailments.

Ogunsuyi said, “Police and the state government will make Ekiti secure for health workers and every worker in the state. We will put in place good measures for people to be able to move without hindrance.”