Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Association of Resident Doctors have condemned the alleged invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing the incident as unacceptable and a violation of professional conduct.
The groups made their position known in a joint communiqué issued on Wednesday in Uyo after an emergency meeting, while also calling on Umo Eno to intervene urgently in the matter.
According to the associations, EFCC operatives allegedly stormed the hospital on Tuesday and detained some members of the hospital’s management staff, an incident that later prompted the hospital authorities to declare an indefinite strike.
The EFCC, however, denied any wrongdoing, stating that its operatives visited the hospital to verify a medical report connected to an ongoing fraud investigation and were allegedly attacked during the exercise.
MDCAN and ARD criticised what they described as a commando-style operation and the alleged use of live ammunition, insisting that the conduct of the operatives endangered healthcare workers, patients and other hospital personnel.
“The unprovoked invasion, violence and assault on staff members and personnel of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital community by EFCC operatives are strongly condemned,” part of the communiqué read.
The associations also accused the operatives of forcefully entering offices and dragging out management staff without first engaging the hospital administration.
They demanded disciplinary action against officers involved in the operation, immediate and unconditional release of detained staff, compensation for affected victims, medical and psychological support for traumatised workers, and a public apology published in two national newspapers.
The communiqué was signed by MDCAN UUTH Chairman, Dr Mfon Inoh; MDCAN Secretary, Dr Kalu Nnenna; ARD President, Dr Ekomobong Udoh; and ARD Secretary, Dr Kenneth Ikott.
The groups added that the ongoing indefinite strike would only be suspended after their demands were met.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State has also declared an indefinite strike over the incident, demanding the release of detained doctors, an apology from the EFCC and legal redress.
