C’River doctors protest colleague’s abduction, begin indefinite strike

Doctors in Cross River State have embarked on indefinite strike to protest the abduction of Dr Ekanem Ephraim, their member abducted on Thursday from her residence in Calabar.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State branch, Dr Felix Archibong, made this known in a communique issued after an Emergency General Meeting of the association on Sunday in Calabar.

Recall that on July 13, 2023, Ephraim, a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, was kidnapped from her residence around 7.30pm by armed men who pretended to be patients.

The doctors noted that despite all efforts in ensuring the release of their colleague, Ephraim had remained in captivity.

The association thereafter resolved to do, among other things, “To embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services effective immediately in solidarity with our member still in the hands of her abductors.

“This withdrawal of medical service will involve all hospitals in the state both federal, state, private and Mission.

“The state government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our member in the hands of her abductors.”

They added that the NMA in Cross River State was not oblivious of the hardship its withdrawal of services would have on the citizens, but appealed to the relevant security agencies to ensure a timely release of its abducted member.