In Kogi State, physicians are presently protesting the kidnapping of Dr. Austin Uwumagbe, one of their colleagues.
Remember how last week, suspected kidnappers shot and killed Dr. Austin Uwumagbe, the director of Victory Hospital-Annex in Ogaminana, Kogi State’s Adavi Local Government Area.
When OBASANJO NEWS24 visited Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, and various hospitals in the state capital, it was evident that there were no physicians there to treat ill patients.
Speaking on the ongoing protest by doctors, Dr. Olusola Baoku, Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), claimed that criminal elements in the nation have always targeted medical professionals.
He bemoaned the fact that in the past two years, over 48 doctors have been abducted nationwide.
Baoku lamented the notion that doctors should be abducted because they are so wealthy.
“At the moment, there are no doctors working in Kogi State. According to our philosophy, one person’s harm affects us all. Over five days have passed since our colleague was kidnapped, and nothing has been done to obtain his release. Because no one knows who will be taken hostage next, several of our members are nervous and restless. Going to work is no longer safe for people.
“We are in contact with the family, and the family is in contact with security services. Since we are neither security agencies nor government entities, we are not a party to the negotiations. Our goal is to stand with our coworker who is still held captive.
“The general people needs to stop thinking that doctors are wealthy. We want the general public to be aware of the fact that we are struggling to make ends meet. We built our homes using loans, which caused us to accrue significant debt, so our earnings are pitiful. If you conduct a background check, you’ll discover that more doctors have debts with three or four financial institutions.
“Patients who are unable to pay their healthcare expenses are another issue that plagues doctors. Ultimately, we use our own earnings to pay their debts. You’ll discover that after paying their bills, a doctor’s salary will only be peanuts when they receive it. Because of our extreme poverty, they should refrain from kidnapping doctors. Our accounts are empty, “Baoku bemoaned.
However, the NMA Chairman clarified that the kidnappers have contacted the family members and are seeking money.
“They have demanded a very large ransom, which no one person can pay. Because of this, NMA is pleading for assistance so that our colleague can be immediately released, “he said.
In order to ensure the kidnapped victim’s safe release, he urged the Kogi State government and security organisations to act right away.
