NMA vows to ensure justice on assaulted doctor
By Ene Ikpa
The Nigeria medical association NMA demands justice on her assaulted member .
The chairman of NMA Fct chapter Dr Philip Ekpe Uche stated this, while briefing members of the press on Monday in Abuja .
According to Dr Ekpe ” The NMA wishes to express her displeasure on the assault, battery and threat to life to the point of stripping naked her female member while carrying out her lawful duty of saving lives at the maitama district Hospital .
NMA Fct condemn this recurrent and frequent abuse of assault and molestation of doctors and health workers in fct hospital by patient relatives,and handful of patient relatives have developed a penchant of taking laws into their hands whenever they are dissatisfied with their perceived misconceptions.
This particular case was that of a chronic medical condition that was given standard quality care comparable to best practices , unfortunately the patient did not respond adequately and died in the course of management. Patient relative had insisted on blood transfusion which was not required because the blood volume was normal and would further complicate the present condition leading to mismanagement . The relative had threatened to kill the doctor for refusing their request despite adequate counselling and explanation.
They indeed came to make good their threats by molesting the female doctor and strip her naked in broad daylight at her duty post.
This indeed is terrible and unacceptable . We are only there to save lives we are not God.
While empathizing with the relatives of the dead patient the NMA chairman reiterated on appropriate channels to follow when dissatisfied rather than taking laws into their hands.
Appreciating the support of the Association of resident doctors ARD fcta in collaboration with the MD of maitama district hospital in the arrest of Lauretta Jibril the culprit and making sure she was charged to court the next day and adjournment of the the case till Feb 25th for further hearing.
The NMA Fct demands constituted authority at all levels should as a matter of urgency institute workable mechanisms to prevent future occurrence on health workers, while supporting and carrying out a protest rally to prove further how unsatisfied they are about patients, and patient’s relatives, have become a threat to doctors and the hospital is no longer a safe place for health workers.
