Edo NMA calls for release of kidnapped doctor, medical students

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, on Tuesday, expressed worry over the spate of kidnappings in the country with medical practitioners and students being targets.

Chairman, NMA Edo State, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, in a statement, said it is worrisome that medical practitioners, and now even medical students are being targeted.

He frowned at the surge of kidnappings in the country saying, “A resident doctor at the National Eye Care Center Kaduna, Dr Ganiyat Poopola has been in the kidnappers’ den for over 8 months with untold physical and psychological harm to her and her family.

“Twenty medical students on their way to a convention were a few days ago also kidnapped in Benue State.

“All these calls for a lot of concern for the safety of medical personnel in Nigeria, especially at a time the war against brain drain in the health sector to improve our health systems is being waged. We wonder how we can win the war if we do not tackle insecurity and kidnappings in the country.”

Oseghale appealed to the Federal Government and the security operatives to ensure the unconditional release of Dr Ganiyat Poopola and the kidnapped medical students.

“We insist on the institution of effective, scalable, and sustainable Mechanisms to forestall recurrences of these worrisome acts to reassure Nigerians, including doctors, of their safety as they continue to make their contributions towards National Development,” he added.