NMA decries rising insecurity, says doctors now target of armed bandits

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the growing insecurity and incidence of kidnappings in the country.

It, therefore, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to address security challenges, poor health indices, high unemployment rate and starvation in the country.

President of the association, Dr. Francis Faduyile, who stated this while briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, expressed dismay over the failure of both the federal and state governments to effectively check security lapses and the rising incidence of crime and criminality in the country.

He lamented that doctors and other health workers have now become targets of the kidnappers, adding that many of NMA members had been kidnapped and some killed while discharging their duties.

The NMA president, who urged the security agencies to ensure the safe release of two members abducted in Taraba State, further said that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) was investigating about 120 doctors for professional misconduct.

He said two members had been punished accordingly.

Meanwhile, the association has condemned the non-payment of health workers’ salaries by Abia and Imo states, describing it as unacceptable. It said the actions by government at all levels were responsible for the current migration of medical personnel overseas.