The Nigerian Medical Association has denounced the horrific murder of Dr. Uyi Iluobe, one of its members, who was allegedly assassinated at a hospital in Oghara, Delta State, by the relatives of a patient.
The NMA further requested that the murderers be brought to justice by the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State administration.
According to what we learned, Dr. Iluobe was killed on December 31, 2022.
The NMA encouraged the National Assembly to make violence against healthcare professionals a crime in the nation in a press release signed by its president, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, and provided to our correspondent on Monday.
“The Nigerian Medical Association received with shock and sadness the news of the murder on December 31st, 2022 of Dr Iluobe by the relatives of his patient at Oghara where his practice was based.
“The above scenario being the response of the patient relatives to the loss of a patient from suspected gunshot injuries can never be justifiable and has taken violence against doctors and other healthcare workers from injuries to murder.
“It is unbelievable that in the face of a debilitating medical brain drain, the few doctors that patriotically decided to stay back and take care of our fellow citizens are being murdered by the same Nigerians.
“While we sympathise with the family of the patient that was lost, we strongly condemn this murder and call on the Government of Delta State and the Inspector-General of Police to as a matter of urgency bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book so as to assuage the pain we feel. A man should not be murdered for the selfless act of being on duty on a New Year’s Eve.
“The Nigerian Medical Association uses this medium to call on the National Assembly to make a law criminalising violence against healthcare workers. Please save our souls from wanton attacks by fellow Nigerians.
“We are closely monitoring the handling of the case of Dr Uyi Iluobe’s murder and shall respond as the need arises. Enough is enough,” the statement read.
