Medical doctors in Anambra State have suspended the indefinite strike they embarked on after just three days of industrial action.

The strike was initially declared by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), following the abduction of one of their colleagues, Dr. Steven Ezeh, a private practitioner and the Chief Medical Director of Vera Clinic in Ihiala.

Dr. Ezeh was kidnapped from his residence in Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala Local Government Area, on August 15.

The NMA’s decision to declare the strike was not spontaneous. After the abduction, the association held an emergency meeting on Monday, a day after the incident, where they issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government for Dr. Ezeh’s release.

According to the NMA, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N40 million, which was later reduced to N30 million within a 24-hour period. The association made it clear that failure to secure the release of Dr. Ezeh within the given timeline would result in all doctors in Anambra State withdrawing their services from both public and private hospitals.

As the deadline passed without any resolution, the NMA followed through on their threat. On Thursday, they directed all doctors to halt clinical services immediately, leading to a full-scale strike across the state.

The sudden withdrawal of medical services caused widespread suffering, particularly for patients in need of urgent care. A trader, Mrs. Onyekachi Ugwueze, recounted how she took her mother to Regina Caeli Hospital for treatment on Friday, only to find that no doctors were available.

When advised to seek treatment at a private hospital, she was shocked to discover that even private hospitals were affected by the strike. She described Friday as a “horrible day,” relying on self-medication for her mother’s care.

The impact of the strike was felt across the state, with many residents struggling to access medical services. Even planned programs, such as a free medical outreach at Regina Caeli Hospital, were cancelled.

A notice circulated at the hospital stated that a free eye outreach event had been postponed indefinitely due to the strike, causing further inconvenience to patients.

Relief came on Sunday when the NMA announced that Dr. Ezeh had been released, leading to the suspension of the strike.

In a joint statement, NMA Chairman Dr. Princeton Okam and Secretary Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi confirmed the end of the industrial action, stating, “The total and indefinite strike called by NMA Anambra Branch to protest the kidnap of our member, Dr. Steven Ezeh, is hereby called off following his release. Clinical services will resume at 8:00 AM on Sunday, August 25.”

The NMA leadership expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra for their patience during the difficult period and hoped that such an incident would not occur again.

They also commended their members for their solidarity and resilience in the face of the numerous challenges confronting the healthcare sector, especially insecurity.

The association urged its members to remain committed to providing healthcare services to the people of Anambra State.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time professionals in Anambra have gone on strike due to insecurity. Earlier in the year, lawyers under the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) staged a similar protest over the abduction of one of their members.

In May, lawyers in the state boycotted courts for a day following the kidnapping of Mr. Chukwubuikem Azoro, Secretary of the NBA’s Idemili branch. Azoro was abducted by gunmen at Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, and the kidnappers demanded a ransom for his release, though the exact amount was not disclosed.

In response to Azoro’s abduction, the Idemili branch of the NBA took a stand by boycotting court appearances and pledging not to represent individuals charged with kidnapping or armed robbery.

The Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA branches in Anambra, Mr. I.C. Nsofor, explained that the statewide boycott was meant to support the local branch’s efforts in securing Azoro’s release.

These incidents highlight a growing trend of strikes by professionals in Anambra in response to rising insecurity, particularly the kidnapping of their members.

While Governor Charles Soludo was initially praised for his aggressive stance against criminal elements masquerading as freedom fighters, there is now increasing concern that those efforts have waned, leading to renewed insecurity in the state.

As professionals continue to voice their concerns about safety, there is hope that the government will take more proactive measures to address the insecurity that threatens not only the safety of citizens but also critical sectors such as healthcare and justice delivery in Anambra State.