Monday, 25 June 2012

NMA Kaduna decries attacks on personnel

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kaduna State Chapter has decried attacks on its members and the vandalism of health facilities during crises.

The association, in a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman and Secretary, Dr. Solomon Avidime and Dr. Joseph Ovosi respectively, said that three private clinics and some of its members were attacked during the recent violence in parts of the state.

The statement listed two of the affected clinics as Covenant Hospital, Benin Street by Kano Road and Alheri Clinic, Jos Road by Bayajidda Street.





It said that one Dr. Zainab Mohammed-Idris was also attacked along Kamanzo.

While describing the attacks as "utterly condemnable," the statement said Mohammed-Idris lost her driver on her way to duty, during the mob action by some irate youths.

The Calvary Clinic at Kafanchan in the southern part of the state was burnt in a similar violence during the 2011 general elections.

"It should be noted that doctors and other healthcare personnel are doing their utmost best," it said. "This is at the risk of their lives to render emergency and basic healthcare services without any discrimination to religion, tribe, creed or political affiliation as enshrined in the Oath of Service, which we swore to uphold.

"Therefore, the NMA Kaduna State see this recent development as totally unwarranted and call for restraint on the attacks of innocent and law abiding citizens and also healthcare facilities and personnel who defy odds to help the sick and the wounded in the face of these crises.

"Life is sacred and its sanctity should be respected by all irrespective of the differences in our affiliation."

The association also condemned the bombing of three churches in Zaria and Kaduna cities on June 17, the attendant reprisal and counter-reprisal attacks which claimed several lives and property.
It commended "the courage and expertise of all doctors and other health workers" who provided emergency medical services during the crises.

"We are proud to say that within the limits of available human and material resources in most facilities where the victims were received, all patients, except the two that were fatally injured on arrival at the hospitals, are alive.

"Some have been discharged while others are now recuperating."

The statement reminded the public that the current security challenges and the attendant casualties in some states in the North were putting a strain on the already "thin and fragile" health system in the affected states.

"We appeal to relevant security agencies to ensure the movement of medical personnel as a matter of urgency when duly identified during crisis periods."

It called for a lasting solution to the current crisis, to promote peace and unity, which it described as the panacea for sustainable development.

The association lauded the Kaduna Government for its efforts to restore peace and security in the state, as well as the roles played by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jamatu Nasir Islam (JNI) in preaching peaceful coexistence.

"These are indeed trying times for us as a state. We urge the peace loving people of the state to remain steadfast and be each other’s brother's keeper by complementing the efforts of the government in maintaining peace and avoiding religious strife and intolerance."

Culled:dailytimesnigeria

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