Doctors in Cross River on Sunday embarked on a total and indefinite strike in solidarity with one of their members abducted on Thursday from her residence in Calabar.

This is contained in a communique signed by Felix Archibong, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Cross River, after an emergency general meeting on Sunday in Calabar.

Last Thursday, Ekanem Ephraim, a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), was kidnapped from her residence by armed men who pretended to be patients at about 7:30 p.m.

The doctors noted that despite all their efforts to ensure the release of their colleague, Ms Ephraim has remained in captivity.

They thereafter resolved to: “To embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services effective immediately in solidarity with our member still in the hands of her abductors.”

The association said it was withdrawing services from all hospitals, including private and mission.

“The state government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our member in the hands of her abductors,” NMA said.

They added that NMA in Cross River was not oblivious to the hardship its withdrawal of services would have on the citizens but appealed to the relevant security agencies to ensure a timely release of its abducted member.

This is not the first time the association would embark on a strike because of the abduction of its member in Cross River.

(NAN)