August 27, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has suspended its six weeks old strike.
The industrial action was called off about 41 days ago, following the kidnap of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim.
The action threw the state’s health sector into disarray and several patients in government health facilities were abandoned to their fate.
Scheduled clinical services in these institutions were aborted and the cost of the six weeks strike action in the sector is uncertain.
However, in a resolution, dated August 26, 2023, and marked NMACRS/SG/2022-2024/08/120, the association announced a suspension of the strike.
The resolution was signed by Dr Felix Archibong (State Chairman) and Dr Amaku Etim (State Secretary).
The association in its resolution noted that “after careful and painstaking deliberations, the Congress resolved to suspend the ongoing withdrawal of clinical services embarked upon 41 days ago, therefore, our members shall resume duty on Monday, 28th August, 2023.
“The association will review the government’s efforts with respect to search, rescue and release of Professor Ekanem Philip and other security efforts made to secure the lives and properties of citizens in two weeks”, the resolution noted.
The association however noted that it is quite unfortunate that despite the withdrawal of clinical services and continuous peaceful protests embarked upon by the association, there has not been any evidence of proof of Life from government or security agencies on their abducted colleague.
This the association said has left them deeply concerned and uncertain about her safety.
Insecurity in the state, particularly the kidnapping of medical personnel in the state has continued unabated over the years.
Within the past five years, fourteen medical doctors and several relatives have been kidnapped within the state.
This has brought untold hardship and psychological trauma to families of medical doctors in the state.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
