Doctors in Anambra State, under the aegis of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Anambra Branch, have called for the immediate and unconditional release of their member, Dr Steven Ezeh, who was kidnapped by yet-to-be identified persons.

NMA had an emergency general meeting on Monday and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of Ezeh threatening to withdraw their services across the state afterwards.

Ezeh, a private practitioner in Ihiala, was abducted at his residence in Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area on August 15.

NMA in a communique signed by Dr Princeton Okam and Dr Obiaeli Ifeanyi,

chairman and secretary, respectively, condemned the rising spate of kidnapping and insecurity in the state. It called on the government and security agencies to arrest the situation.

According to the doctors: “Our colleague, Dr Stephen Ezeh, was kidnapped in front of his residence at Umunnamehi Village, Ihiala, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. ⁠Dr Stephen Eze is a private practitioner and Managing Director of Vera Clinic Ihiala.

“The kidnappers have requested 40 million ransom at first and subsequently 30 millions in the last 24 hours. A 48-hour ultimatum is hereby given to the Anambra State Government to secure the immediate release of Dr Ezeh.

“If at the expiration of the above timeline, our member’s release is

not secured, all the doctors in Anambra State under the aegis of NMA-Anambra will down tools until our member is released. An emergency meeting will be convened within the next 48 hours to review the progress made so far.”

The association appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the effort of his administration towards repositioning the health sector while appealing that urgent measures be put in place to tackle the menace of insecurity and other challenges in the state.

The association called on its members to continue striving towards providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to the people of the state.