The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), South East Caucus, has suspended its 2020 Physicians Week which commenced at the national level on Oct. 18.
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Jide Onyekwelu , Chairman, and Dr Dubem Awachie Chairman, Secretary, NMA, South East Caucus .
According to them, the suspension of the programme is in solidarity with youths who have either been killed or maimed in the justified demand to end police brutality and impunity.
“We suspend all Physicians Week activities in the South East of Nigeria until further notice.
“This suspension will also protect our members from being exposed to danger while carrying out the activities of the Physicians Week and also give us time to freely attend to injured Nigerians in the course of the #endSARS protest.
“This suspension will also protect our members from being exposed to danger while carrying out the activities of the Physicians Week and also give us time to freely attend to injured Nigerians in the course of the #EndSARS protest.
“We are aware that some states have started or have concluded plans to start the Physicians Week celebration but we urge you to bear the huge cost you have already incurred as a sacrifice for a better Nigeria,” it stated.
The NMA regretted that what started as a peaceful protest had resulted to death and destruction of property while calling on the federal government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators of acts of arson to book.
The statement said that the aftermath of events on Tuesday night, Oct. 20, 2020 at Lekki, Lagos State, had sent ripples across the country such that violence started growing in other parts of the country.
The NMA said it supports freedom of expression and peaceful protests but condemns violence in all its ramifications.
The doctors urged hospitals and all healthcare facilities to leave their gates open and be ready for 24-hour medical service delivery.
“It was a movement that sought to create a better and more enabling environment for the youths that have been marginalised and brutalised all these years.
“Response to this movement is the wanton, unwarranted, and unjustifiable murder of the protesting youth in cold blood by armed men.
“The South East Caucus of the NMA roundly condemns this wanton destruction of lives of our youth.
“Even if they were alleged to have continued with the peaceful demonstration despite imposition of curfew, the penalty for that offence certainly is not death.
“This despicable act in Lagos has caused ripple effects in South East of Nigeria. There have been demonstrations in all the five states of the South East including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
“A few police stations have been torched and lives and properties are in danger. All the South East State governors have imposed curfew in their states.
“We urge all hospitals and healthcare facilities in the South East to keep their doors open 24 hours daily to receive any and all people that may be injured as a result of this protest.
“That is the least we can do for our youths,” the NMA said.
