…Demands thorough investigation.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch on Thursday condemned the assault, brutalization, and arrest of Prof. Eyo Ekpe and other health personnel at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement signed by the Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Edo State Branch, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, the association expressed worry over the incident, describing it as putting patients scheduled for care at risk of missing critical treatment.
Dr. Oseghale called on the government to conduct a thorough investigation, ensure justice is served, hold the culprits accountable, and put an end to the harassment and intimidation of healthcare workers across hospitals in the country.
According to him, hospitals must remain protected spaces for healing, not targets for force and intimidation.
The statement reads, “The Nigeria Medical Association, Edo State Branch, is deeply saddened by the assault, brutalization, and arrest of Prof. Eyo Ekpe and other health personnel at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It is equally alarming that the hospital environment was desecrated, putting patients scheduled for care at risk of missing critical treatment.
“The NMA Edo State Branch condemns in the strongest terms the reported physical attack on Prof. Ekpe, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon, and the harassment of doctors and other healthcare personnel at UUTH.
“At a time when healthcare should be declared a national emergency and when doctors and health workers are already leaving the country in droves, it is unacceptable for public officers funded by taxpayers to assault the very people sustaining healthcare in Akwa Ibom State.
“We stand in full solidarity with our colleagues in the Nigeria Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State Branch.
“We call on the government to conduct a thorough investigation, ensure justice is served, hold the culprits accountable, and put an end to the harassment and intimidation of healthcare workers. Hospitals must remain protected spaces for healing, not targets for force and intimidation.”
