The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the cruel murder of Dr. Uyi Iluobe, who was shot dead at a Delta State hospital by a patient's family.
The Inspector General of Police and the Delta State government were ordered by the NMA to look into the killing and find the perpetrators.
The information Prime 9ja Online has obtained indicates that Dr Iluobe was killed on December 31, 2022.
Dr Uche Ojinmah, president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), urged the National Assembly to make it illegal to assault or threaten a healthcare worker in a press release that was issued on Monday.
“The Nigerian Medical Association received with shock and sadness the news of the murder on December 31, 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 patient relatives to the loss of a patient from suspected gunshot injuries, can never be justifiable 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 the 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, bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book 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.
“The Nigerian Medical Association uses this medium to call on the National Assembly to make a law criminalising violence against healthcare workers. Please save our souls from wanton attacks by fellow Nigerians.
“We are closely monitoring the handling of the case of Dr Uyi Iluobe’s murder and shall respond as the need arises. Enough is enough,” the statement added.