Despite ending its strike, there are clear signs that the National Association of Resident Doctors, along with other medical professionals, may relaunch its protest against Prof. Ephraim Ekanem, a neurologist who was abducted on July 13, 2023, at gunpoint.
If she is not saved alive, a seven-day deadline set by Dr. Uche Ojinmah, national president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), will expire on Friday.
In a press conference with media on Saturday in Calabar, Ojinmah spoke.
Armed men disguised as patients kidnapped Prof. Ekanem from her Calabar home.
NMA national president stated,
“We have had interactions with the state governor and we have made it clear that if by the end of next week we do not get a result, we will take tougher stands because we have watched the maltreatment of medical practitioners in Cross River in the last few years.
“If our member is not released by Friday, there will be a national action that will have Cross River at the epicentre.
“We may withdraw our members so that those people who like kidnapping will have to treat the people of Cross River themselves.”
Ojinmah called on the Cross River State Government to take proactive measures to protect their citizens and contain attempts to de-market the state.
NMA has appealed to the kidnappers to return the abducted doctor to