The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the National Assembly to criminalize violence against healthcare workers in the country.
This was stated after a member of NMA, Dr. Uyi Iluobe, was reportedly killed by relatives of his patient at a hospital in Oghara, Delta State.
It was gathered that Iluobe was murdered on 31 December, 2022.
The NMA, in a statement by its President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, on Monday, said: “The Nigerian Medical Association received with shock and sadness the news of the murder on 31 December, 2022, of Dr Iluobe by the relatives of his patient at Oghara, where his practice was based.
“The above scenario being the response of the relatives to the loss of a patient from suspected gunshot injuries can never be justified and has taken violence against doctors and other healthcare workers from injuries to murder.
“It is unbelievable that in the face of a debilitating medical brain drain, the few doctors that patriotically decided to stay back and take care of our fellow citizens are being murdered by same Nigerians.
“While we sympathise with the family of the patient that was lost, we strongly condemn this murder and call on the Government of Delta State, and the Inspector-General of Police to, as a matter of urgency, to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book so as to assuage the pain we feel. A man should not be murdered for the selfless act of being on duty on New Year’s Eve.”
