By Vincent Ujumadu
Minister of State for Well being and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, has described the kidnapping of a neurosurgeon on the Nnamdi Azikiwe College Educating Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, as a direct assault on Nigeria’s nationwide well being safety.
Dr. Mbanugo was kidnapped at Omaha Junction, Uruagu Nnewi, whereas returning dwelling after performing a sequence of surgical procedures on the hospital.
In a press release, Salako mentioned the incident was notably distressing, given its implications for the nation’s already fragile well being system. He famous that Nigeria has fewer than 150 practising neurosurgeons serving a inhabitants of over 220 million — far under the World Well being Organisation (WHO) benchmark of 1 neurosurgeon per 100,000 folks.
“Nigeria at the moment has one neurosurgeon per 1.9 million residents, making each specialist invaluable. This abduction is a direct assault on nationwide well being safety and a risk to our collective well-being. We strongly condemn all types of violence towards healthcare professionals,” he mentioned.
The minister described medical doctors, nurses, and allied well being staff as nationwide belongings who should be protected, urging the Anambra State authorities and related safety companies to accentuate efforts to find Dr. Mbanugo and guarantee his speedy, secure, and unconditional launch.
“His kidnapping occurred on the very level the place he ought to have been most secure — returning dwelling after serving humanity,” Salako added.
It was gathered that the abductors have contacted among the physician’s colleagues utilizing his telephone, apparently to demand ransom.
Hospital authorities confirmed that the case has been reported to the Anambra State Police Command, the Division of State Providers (DSS), the Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and native vigilante teams.
Salako additional disclosed that the NAUTH administration is working carefully with safety companies, the Nigerian Medical Affiliation (NMA), and different stakeholders to make sure the neurosurgeon’s immediate and secure launch.
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