The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it is saddened by the gruesome murder in cold blood of one of her members, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of the late NAFDAC DG Dora Akunyili.
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursdays by the National Publicity Secretary of the NMA Dr. Aniekeme Uwah
The statement said the death of this highly skilled professional at a time the country’s health care delivery system is bleeding due to the dearth of Medical Doctors and other health care workers as a result of the unprecedented brain drain currently facing the country is a cause for deep concern.
It said this condemnable incidence at a moment when the the country’s abysmally low Doctor: Patient ratio of 1: 6000 as against the WHO’s recommended 1: 600 is an indication of misplaced value system as a people where human lives are not valued anymore.
The association said it seriously frowns at the incessant loss of lives by Nigerians due to the worsening insecurity in various parts of the country, which also has untoward effects on the health care delivery system.
It further said the death of Dr. Chike Akunyili is indeed one death too many and therefore call on the Federal and State governments in Nigeria to live up to their core constitutional responsibilities of protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
The statement said the association awaits an official statement on investigations being conducted on the incidence by relevant security agencies, and urge them to do everything humanly possible to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
They prayed that God grant the Association, the family and indeed all Nigerians the fortitude to bear this very painful and irreparable loss.
Dr. Chike Akunyili was reportedly murdered at Nkpor, Anambra State on Tuesday 28th September, 2021 on his way from the commemorative lecture in honour of his late wife,Dora.
