Work was grounded at the Central Hospital, Warri, Delta State, yesterday following the kidnap on Sunday of a medical doctor attached to the hospital. Daily Sun gathered that the victim, identified as Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Chibuikem, was abducted while returning from the Church. Her whereabouts were still unknown as at yesterday afternoon. Investigation revealed that the victim was taken away by her abductors instantly.

Consequent upon the unpleasant situation, medical workers, particularly doctors and nurses who were sad over the incident, decided to down tools in sympathy with the fate that befell their colleague.

Further investigation by Daily Sun revealed a pathetic situation where patients and pregnant women were left unattended to, even as majority of them felt disgusted and confused as to where they could receive medical attention.

Beside, families of those on admission are presently seeking for alternative places to take their wards to as medical doctors have vowed not to resume work until their colleague is released. It was a pathetic sight at the children’s ward where most of the patients were not treated, just as parents had started taking away their sick babies.
Contacted, the Zonal Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Ejegi refused to comment even as the situation gets worse following the harrowing pains being experienced by the patients.

A top officer of the association of medical practitioners, Dr. Ferdinard Oshonwo, described the situation as sad and pathetic. “Kidnapping a doctor is like kidnapping 30 persons at a time, which is bad and may pose danger to the society. The act of kidnapping is very rampant in the state. We call on the state government to take drastic step to curtail the unscrupulous act so that the society can be a better place to live in,” said Dr. Oshonwo.

He, however, indicted security personnel of conniving with kidnappers to do evil and urged the inspector general of police and other security chiefs to wade into the issue and nip it in the bud, describing it as insensible act.

Daily Sun, however, learnt that medical staff at the Ekpan general hospital in solidarity stance may join their counterparts at the Warri Central hospital as tension is presently gathering momentum. source: http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2012/mar/27/national-27-03-2012-0025.html

kidnappings? when will it end? doctors' strike when will it end?