Medical Doctors in Cross River State have resumed work in all public and private hospitals in the State after withdrawing services for over twelve days.
The Doctors withdrew their services in the State following the kidnap of their colleague’s wife, Mrs Christiana Ekanem who is an Assistance Director in the University of Calabar.
She was kidnapped on the 10th of March while on her way to work, but was released on March 21st.
In a communiqué issued on Monday and made available to DAILY POST, the Chairman and Secretary of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Agam Ayuk and Dr Ezoke Epoke respectively said the association resolved to call on her members to resume work from today.
“Following her eventual safe release by her captors on March 21st, the Association in an emergency meeting resolved to order members to resume work.
“The indefinite withdrawal of medical services in both private and public hospitals across the State is hereby suspended and medical and dental practitioners in Cross River State are directed to resume duties immediately.
“The Association sincerely hopes that this is the last time she would have to take the difficult decision of withdrawing medical services in the event of kidnapping of her members,” the statement said.
The Chairman, however, regretted that the risk of health workers being infected is three times as high as the general population, “We therefore call on government and management of hospitals to ensure that all health care workers have running water and sanitizers for proper hand hygiene, wear regular surgical masks and use gloves for all patient interactions.”
On the efforts of the Association to curb COVID-19, he said, “The Association shall be donating hand sanitizers to public and private hospitals across the State to support the efforts of government towards preventing and containing COVID-19.
“The Association calls on well-meaning Cross Riverians, politicians and philanthropists to make donation of monitory and/or medical equipment to hospitals across the State,” he said.
