Medical Doctors in Abia State have started an indefinite strike to protest against the abduction of their colleague, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) announced the strike Tuesday at a rally and prayer session held at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
The Chairman of the association, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu said Prof. Iweha was kidnapped on Sunday 6 June in front of his house at Umuajameze Ezeleke Umuokpara town.
“As an association, we contacted the relevant security agencies and the government of Abia and until today, Tuesday, we have yet to hear from our colleague or see him.
“We are worried that nine days down the line, Iweha is still within the kidnappers’ den.
“This is traumatic, depressing, dehumanising, and has instilled a lot of fear within the medical community.
“Our earnest prayer is that his health condition does not deteriorate further and he comes back alive to us and his family,” Dr. Okwuonu said.
The NMA Chairman decried the spate of abductions in Abia State before formally announcing the association’s withdrawal of services.
“Also, it will be difficult to attend to duties as normal because no one knows who will be the next victim.
“Today, Tuesday, June 14, the NMA Abia has commenced a withdrawal of services in both public and private sectors to register its deep displeasure at this unfortunate incident.
“This is to give its members time to join the family in searching for its member.
“However, emergency services are still going on to enable our members to attend to critical patients,” he said.
The association appealed to any member of the public with useful information about the whereabouts of the victim to report the same to the nearest police station.
Prof. Iweha was a former Chief Medical Director at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, and the Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia.
He is presently the Provost of Gregory University College of Medicine, Umuahia Campus, and was last seen on a white chieftaincy top on grey trousers.
