The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the killing of Dr. Uyi Iluobe, one of its members, by the relatives of a patient in Ughara-eki, Delta State, on December 31, 2022.

The umbrella body of Nigerian doctors made this known in a January 2 press statement titled “Gruesome Murder of Dr. Uyi Iluobe”, signed by Dr. Uche R. Ojinmah, its president, and obtained by FIJ.

“The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) received with shock and sadness the news of the murder on 31st December, 2022 of Dr. Iluobe by the relatives of his patient at Oghara where his practice was based,” the association said.

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While describing the incident as unjustifiable, the association sympathised with the family of the deceased and called on Delta State governor and Usman Alkali Baba, Inspector-General of Police, to act as a matter of urgency to bring the perpetrators to book.

“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 health care 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, ” the doctors said.

“While we sympathize 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 his 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 a new year’s eve.

“The Nigerian Medical Association uses this medium to call on the National Assembly to make a law criminalizing violence against health care workers. Please save our souls from wanton attacks by fellow Nigerians.

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“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.”

FIJ could not ascertain the name of the patient at press time. However, sources disclosed that the doctor, who owns Olive Clinic, had requested for a police clearance when the family brought the patient. The doctor refused to attend to them because they could not produce the clearance.