The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital chapters, have condemned the raid carried out by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the hospital, describing the incident as unacceptable.
Operatives of the EFCC on Tuesday invaded the hospital and detained some members of the hospital’s management staff, prompting the authorities of the institution to declare an indefinite strike.
The associations, in a joint communiqué issued to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday after a meeting, drew the attention of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, to the invasion of the hospital by EFCC operatives.
They condemned what they described as the “brutal and unrestrained use of live ammunition” and the commando-style operation carried out by the EFCC personnel, calling for the arrest of officers involved in the operation.
According to the associations, the assault on staff and personnel, as well as the alleged unlawful abduction of members of the hospital community, was completely unacceptable and outside established procedures expected of security personnel.
The communiqué was signed by Dr. Mfon Inoh, MDCAN Chairman, UUTH; Dr. Kalu Nnenna, MDCAN Secretary, UUTH; Dr. Ekomobong Udoh, President of ARD; and Dr. Kenneth Ikott, Secretary of ARD, UUTH.
Part of the communiqué read, “The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, UUTH Chapter, and the Association of Resident Doctors UUTH Chapter, bring to the attention of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and all well-meaning people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, the unfortunate incident involving the violent attack and abduction of some management staff of the hospital by personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The unprovoked invasion, violence and assault on staff members and personnel of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital community by EFCC operatives are strongly condemned, especially when directed against healthcare professionals who continually risk their lives to save others.”
The associations demanded that disciplinary action be taken against all EFCC personnel involved in the operation.
“We therefore demand that appropriate action be taken against all personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involved in the unfortunate incident for the purpose of disciplinary measures in accordance with established laws, as a deterrent to other security personnel,” the communiqué stated.
The groups also condemned the alleged use of live ammunition during the operation.
“We further condemn the brutal and unrestrained use of live ammunition during the invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital community by EFCC operatives, during which healthcare professionals, support staff, patients and other personnel were assaulted, traumatised and subjected to fear for their lives,” the communiqué added.
The associations further accused the EFCC operatives of forcefully breaking into offices and dragging out management staff without first engaging the hospital authorities.
“We condemn the actions of EFCC operatives who forcefully broke into offices to drag out some management staff without any attempt to engage the administrative head of the hospital or other senior staff to notify them of their mission in the hospital,” the communiqué stated.
The associations demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of all detained members of the hospital community, as well as the arrest and prosecution of all EFCC operatives allegedly involved in the operation.
They also called for comprehensive medical and psychological treatment for victims of the incident, adequate compensation for assaulted staff, an unreserved apology from the EFCC in two national newspapers, and the repair of all damaged property within the hospital.
The associations added that the indefinite strike declared by MDCAN and ARD members would only be suspended after all their demands had been met.
Leave a comment