UUTH doctors begin indefinite strike after EFCC operation

Medical doctors and health workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital have commenced an indefinite strike following a controversial arrest operation carried out by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the hospital premises.

The protest action was triggered after EFCC operatives stormed the hospital on Tuesday in an attempt to arrest a staff member, an operation that reportedly escalated into chaos after health workers resisted the move.

Eyewitnesses said the anti-graft agency later reinforced its team, while operatives allegedly fired shots into the air and used tear gas to disperse hospital workers and students who had gathered at the scene.

Sources within the hospital claimed that the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Effiong Ekpe, alongside three other staff members, was eventually taken away by the operatives.

Some staff members also alleged that several persons sustained injuries during the incident, while mobile phones were damaged as workers attempted to record the operation.

Following the development, the Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State directed doctors to immediately withdraw services across the hospital, while the Joint Health Sector Unions also announced a total shutdown of activities at the facility.

Speaking on the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the NMA in Akwa Ibom, Dr Gabriel Eyo, condemned the operation, describing it as an attack on the hospital and medical personnel.

He alleged that Prof. Ekpe, described as the only cardiothoracic surgeon in the state, was assaulted and humiliated during the arrest.

“In the early hours of this morning, masked men wearing EFCC jackets stormed the hospital premises and beat Prof. Effiong Ekpe before dragging him away like a common criminal,” Eyo alleged.

He added that the association declared the indefinite strike to protest what it termed injustice and violation of due process.

Eyo further claimed that some health workers affected by the tear gas suffered breathing complications, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the commotion.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, said police officers only accompanied EFCC operatives to verify the legitimacy of the operation.

According to him, the arrest followed a court directive in an ongoing case involving one of the hospital staff members.

Azare explained that the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Emem Bassey, had contacted him to confirm whether the operatives were genuine.

“The EFCC informed us that they were acting on a court order after a judge directed that the person be produced in court,” the police commissioner said.

He denied allegations that the police invaded the hospital, insisting that officers were only deployed to verify the identity of the operatives and maintain order during the arrest process.