Doctor Safety Tips: NMA Warns of Kidnapping Risks.

Nigerian Medical Association, FCT Branch, has raised concern over the security situation in the FCT, saying it has posed an existential threat to the safety of doctors who often are on the road late hours to meet up with duty calls.

The association stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of it’s Emergency General Meeting, with the agenda: “Security Challenges in FCT and the Kidnap of a member of NMA FCT”, in Abuja.

Recall that a member of the NMA. Dr. Chammah McSampson, a dental Surgeon with Smile Dental Clinic, was abducted along Airport Road, on Sunday 10th March, 2024 at about 8pm, on his way home from work.

This, the association said has caused a lot of fear and anxiety among its members because it is no longer safe for doctors to go out at night to attend to emergency.

The NMA FCT has therefore, resolved to develop and publish a guideline to have a working document in the event of kidnap of any doctor in the FCT: which should include informing the appropriate security agencies and thereafter downing tool after 24 hours if no satisfactory actions or noticeable progress by the security agencies.

The chairman, NMA FCT, Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, said “As we aware, emergency does not respect time. It will not be nice to begin to receive reports that doctors are shying away from answering duty calls at odds hours.” adding that the NMA FCT does not want to wait until it becomes habitual for doctors to be picked up daily before making moves.

He said: “EGM advised that her members should be more security conscious by adopting measures that will make them less targeted by kidnappers and other criminals: should endeavor to go home before nightfall, change the way they store other doctors’ names on their phones to avoid unnecessary attention. Also, to avoid placing objects or stickers that would easily make them identifiable as doctors to avoid undue attention. items such as Ward coats, Stethoscopes, and other clinical paraphernalia should not be displayed conspicuously in their cars.

“NMA FCT should appeal to FCTA HMB to ensure appropriate posting of her doctors to areas close to where they reside instead of the current posting method that doesn’t take into account how far the doctors stay from the hospital, to prevent security risk.”

Speaking further, Dr. Ugwuanyi expressed displeasure over what he described as poor treatment meted out to NMA FCT council members during their attempt to see the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, following the kidnap of their member.

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