Posted by In support of one of their colleagues, Dr. Asema Msuega, who was abducted on Sunday, 23rd July 2023, doctors in Benue State will begin a three-day warning strike on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
On his way to oversee a state-wide malaria effort at a primary health center in Benue state’s Ukum Local Government Area, he was kidnapped.
At the Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Benue State branch held on Friday, the physicians made their choice.
The doctors would put away their instruments starting on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 12:01 am, and would not pick them back up again until Friday, August 25, 2023, at 8:00 am, according to a statement signed by the chairman, Dr. Anenga, and the secretary, Dr. Godwin Ameh.
Part of the announcement said, “The strike will affect all medical professionals and all healthcare and educational institutions located throughout the State.
Private clinics and hospitals around the State are free from the strike and will stay open out of concern for the suffering of the general population.
“However, until otherwise directed, all medical professionals employed by Ukum Local Government are therefore ordered to depart with immediate effect.
In addition to the strike, there will be a significant demonstration on August 24, 2023, to raise our collective voice and demand Dr. Asema’s immediate release.
The demonstration will start at 9 a.m. at the government house roundabout and conclude there. Unless he is released before the start of the strike, this and the previous actions will be implemented without fail.
The doctors again appealed to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, the Tor Tiv, Orchiviligli Prof. James Ayatse, the Senator representing the Benue North-East senatorial zone, Barr. Emmanuel Udende, the member representing the Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo federal constituency, Hon. Solomon Wombo, the member of the House of Assembly representing the Ukum constituency, Hon