Aniefiok Christopher’
NMA has given a two-week shutdown notice of health facilities in Akwa Ibom if Economic and Financial Crimes Commission fails to admit fault and compensate victims of the recent invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has directed its members to resume work at the excluded health facilities in the state.
A press release signed by Prof. Aniekan Peter, State NMA Chairman and Dr. Edesiri Ighorodje, State NMA Secretary after Congress on Saturday, 16 May, noted that the EFCC offered oral not a written apology and did not publish same in national dailies.
Also read: NMA Strike Looms over alleged Assault on its Members by EFCC in Akwa Ibom
While thanking the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, the Akwa Ibom deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), among others, NMA affirmed to continue the strike at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and the University of Uyo.
‘’That should the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission fail to comply with the earlier demands of the Association within two (2) weeks from today, all previously excluded centres shall resume full industrial action,’’ NMA warned.
Meanwhile, Prof. Emem Bassey, Chief Medical Director University of Uyo Teaching Hospital has intervened by appealing to Nigerian Medical Association, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, and Association of Resident Doctors to reconsider their action.
Bassey recalled ‘‘The events of 12th May 2026 remain painful and regrettable. The invasion of our hospital premises by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an attempt to arrest the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, over the issue of authentication of a medical report, created an unfortunate and traumatic situation within our institution.
According to him, ”What began as interest by concerned staff rapidly degenerated into chaos. Members of staff were brutalized, some sustained injuries, tear gas was discharged within the hospital environment, live bullets were reportedly fired to disperse the crowd, and five members of staff, including Prof. Eyo Ekpe, were arrested before their eventual release following my personal intervention at the zonal office of the EFCC.
”No hospital should ever become a theatre of violence. No healthcare worker should ever feel unsafe within the walls of a healing institution. No doctor, nurse, pharmacist, scientist, or support staff should have to work under fear or intimidation.
”I fully understand the anger, pain, outrage, and emotional trauma generated by these events. Your concerns are legitimate. Your fears are real. Your demand for dignity, respect, and protection of healthcare workers is justified.
”As management, we did not and will never support any form of intimidation or harassment of our staff. Since this incident occurred, we have continued to engage all relevant authorities to ensure that the sanctity of our hospital and the safety of healthcare workers are respected.”
He stated ”I wish to sincerely appreciate the intervention of the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, who personally intervened in this matter, received a team from the EFCC who conveyed their apologies through him to the hospital management, appealed for calm, and has promised to establish a ministerial committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of workplace violence and harassment against healthcare workers, with the goal of formulating policies to prevent future occurrences.
”I also acknowledge the intervention of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State through the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi who summoned a meeting of all stakeholders including Commissioners of Health, Information and Labour, management of the UUTH, heads of health unions in the hospital and state, heads of security agencies in the state and other concerned parties. During this meeting issues were addressed and an apology was received from the EFCC to the hospital management as well as other affected parties,” he observed.
Distinguished colleagues, while we continue to pursue justice, accountability, institutional respect, and lasting policy reforms, I humbly appeal that we also consider the unintended victims of this industrial action our patients.
Today, countless indigent patients who depend solely on UUTH for affordable and specialized healthcare are stranded. Patients requiring dialysis are uncertain where help will come from. Critically ill patients needing intensive care are left vulnerable. Cancer patients awaiting treatment are anxious and helpless. Pregnant women, newborn babies, children, the elderly, and accident victims continue to suffer. Some lives have sadly already been lost.
This reality breaks my heart.
As doctors, we are trained not only in science but in compassion. Our profession is founded upon sacrifice, humanity, and the preservation of life even under difficult circumstances. Society looks to us in moments of despair because we represent hope.
I therefore make this passionate appeal to all our striking doctors in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; Please, in the interest of humanity, in the interest of the poor masses who have nowhere else to go, and in the interest of the oath we all swore to preserve life, kindly suspend the ongoing industrial action and return to work while engagements and negotiations continue.
Suspending the strike does not diminish the legitimacy of your grievances. Returning to work does not mean surrendering your dignity. Choosing humanity at this critical moment will once again demonstrate the nobility and moral strength of the medical profession.
History will remember not only the injustice we faced, but also how we responded to it.
Let us stand united in demanding institutional respect and safer working conditions, while also ensuring that innocent patients do not continue to pay the ultimate price.
I remain fully committed to the welfare, safety, dignity, and protection of every staff member of UUTH. My doors remain open for continuous dialogue, engagement, and collective resolution of all issues arising from this unfortunate incident.
