The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says more than 10 doctors were victims of kidnap and other violent crimes in less than two months in Enugu.

NMA disclosed this in its emergency general meeting on Tuesday at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.

The communique was jointly signed by the chair of NMA Enugu, Celestine Ugwoke, and the general secretary, Sunday Okafor.

The statement said the emergency meeting also observed that having more than 10 doctors as victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes in less than two months was a dangerous trend in Enugu.

The communique sent to various government offices and security agencies noted that the recent development called for serious concern and drastic and decisive actions.

According to the statement, the doctors are aware of the insecurity across Nigeria and have “painfully observed the spate of kidnappings in the state, most of which medical and dental practitioners have unfortunately been worst hit.”

It “regrettably observed that there is very minimal and in some cases no presence of strong security formations in most of our public hospitals as well as dwindling presence of armed patrol teams at critical times and in most areas of the state.”

“The EGM further observed that the rising insecurity in the state is becoming an added burden to the already-stretched healthcare facilities available in Enugu state and the safety of our patriotic doctors, who should care for the victims of these violent crimes, is no longer guaranteed which is very worrisome,” stated the communique.

It added, “The EGM, while noting the efforts and commitment of the State Government in the area of security infrastructure, observed the gross inadequacy of the necessary security architecture and installations required to safeguard a vast and strategic state like Enugu state with its peculiarity as the capital of the old Eastern Region of Nigeria.

“The EGM finally observed, with condemnation and regrets, that the NMA is yet to receive any report from the relevant security agencies on full-scale conclusive investigations/inquiries into these kidnap cases and none of these enemies of the state have been brought to book yet.”

In its seven resolutions highlighted in the statement, NMA called on the Enugu government to “ensure that all our public hospitals are well and heavily guarded by armed security personnel,” beefing up the “presence and operations of armed security patrol teams across the state.”

It urged the government to “rejig” Enugu’s security architecture.

The medical association also resolved “to mandate the management of the various health institutions in the state to ensure either that medical and dental consultants on hospital calls are provided with decent call rooms, meals and other facilities or in the alternative provide a to-and-fro ambulance escort for them to be able to perform their duties.”

(NAN)