The Nigerian Medical Association has condemned the gruesome murder of one of its members, Dr. Uyi Iluobe, who is said to have been murdered by relatives of his patient in a hospital in Oghara, Delta State.
The NMA also called on the Delta state government and the Police Inspector General to bring the perpetrators of the murder to trial.
PUNCH deduced that Dr. Iluobe was killed on December 31, 2022.
The NMA, in a press release signed by its president, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, and made available to our correspondent on Monday, urged the National Assembly to criminalize violence against health workers in the country.
“It is with shock and sadness that the Nigerian Medical Association received the news of the murder on December 31, 2022 of Dr. Iluobe by his patient’s relatives in Oghara, where his practice was located.
“The above scenario, which is the response of relatives of patients to the loss of a patient from alleged gunshot wounds, can never be justifiable and has led to violence against doctors and other health workers from injury to murder.
“It is unbelievable that in the face of a debilitating medical brain drain, the few doctors who patriotically chose to stay behind and care for our fellow citizens are being killed by Nigerians themselves.
“While we stand in solidarity with the family of the missing patient, we strongly condemn this murder and call on the Delta State Government and Police Inspector General to urgently bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to to make them accountable. as to ease the pain we feel. A man should not be killed for the selfless act of being of service on New Year’s Eve.
“The Nigerian Medical Association is using this medium to call on the National Assembly to enact a law criminalizing violence against health workers. Save our souls from the rampant attacks of other Nigerians.
“We are closely monitoring the handling of the Dr. Uyi Iluobe murder case and will respond when the need arises. Enough is enough,” the statement read.
