Medical doctors in Delta State under the auspices of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, NAGGMDP, have commenced an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of their senior colleague, Emmanuel Okpako.
Okpako who is the Principal Medical Officer, PMO, of Government Hospital Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, allegedly kidnapped last Saturday at Eku Town, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state by gunmen while he was with his wife, SaharaReporters reports.
Recall that the medical doctors had in June last year embarked on an indefinite strike following the abduction of its member attached to the Central Hospital, Ojobo, Burutu Local Government Area of the state, Wisdom Iboyitete, by gunmen.
He was later released after one week after a ransom was paid by the victim’s family.
The abduction was confirmed by the state chairman of NAGGMDP, Oyawiri, who urged the government and security forces to ensure the safe release of Okpako.
The association in a letter signed by its state chairman, Samuel Oyawiri and the secretary, Idiodemise O’tega, and sent to the Delta State Hospital Management Board, and copied Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the state health commissioner expressed displeasure over the abduction of its member. It added that the industrial action followed the abduction of its member.
The association said until their colleague is released, there will be no work in all hospitals across the state.
The letter titled ‘Notice of indefinite strike’, directed all medical practitioners in public hospitals in the state to immediately adhere strictly to the directive.
It partly read, “Sequel to the above, I wish to inform you that the branch offices committed (BOC), following an emergency meeting held on the 29/03/2021 at the instance of the Chairman, decided that all NAGGMDP members should down tools indefinitely beginning from 8:00 hrs 30/032021 until issues bearing on the security of members viz-a-viz release of Dr. Okpako Emmanuel are resolved as we believe strongly that an injury to one is an injury to all.”