Doctors vs EFCC: UUTH CMD begs medical unions to suspend strike

Chief Medical Director, CMD, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, has made a passionate appeal to different medical unions in the state to return to their duty posts and offer medical care and other services to the people.

Recall that following an altercation between the hospital’s medical staff and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and other medical unions withdrew their services, alleging unwarranted arrest and assault of a foremost Cardiologist, Prof. Eyo Ekpe.

Worried by the toll the strike action has had on sick patients and other citizens, UUTH CMD, in a press conference at the hospital, urged the unions to sheathe their swords even as he condemned the action of the EFCC, which he said was carried out by overzealous officials who did not depict what the commission represents. 

He reminded the union leaders that though they are still within their rights, they should also remember the critically ill patients at the Intensive Care Unit, victims of accidents and newborn babies who require urgent medical attention.

In his appeal the CMD said, “We are appealing to our colleagues and unions to consider the human lives involved. Patients are suffering. Newborn babies and critically ill persons are at risk. Whatever grievances we have, human life must come first.

“If not for anything, the Accident and Emergency unit should not be shut, the ICU, even the Special Care Unit for babies, too. My dear union leaders, I plead that you keep these doors open; the harm has already been done, but let us not forget our vulnerable and sick ones.

The CMD disclosed that the management, including Prof Ekpe, who was assaulted, alongside senior medical personnel, had been on the ground shortly after the incident to stabilise critical units and ensure that patients still receiving treatment were not abandoned.

He, however, advised security operatives to apply some restraints in the discharge of their duties, assuring colleagues that such an incident will not repeat itself as the Minister of Health, Akwa Ibom State government and other relevant stakeholders have intervened. 

Meanwhile, the CMD revealed that the issue in contention, which was to verify the authenticity of a medical report purportedly issued on behalf of a suspect under investigation, was checked and discovered to be fake and never emanated from UUTH.

“Some actors working in concert with lawyers or whoever for the suspect had opened a folder with no official footing and written a fake medical report on it. To check the authenticity of a medical report is a rigorous process, and after every said and done, it was discovered that the document was fake,” he said.