By Tina Amanda
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the invasion of security personnel at a health sensitization event for mothers, children, and pregnant women at the Eliozu Primary Health Care Center in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
NMA Chairman for Rivers State, Dr. Ebi Robinson, expressed his displeasure in Port Harcourt, describing the incident as highly insensitive and unacceptable behavior by the security forces.
Dr. Robinson emphasized that health facilities are places where essential and critical care is provided, and such invasions pose serious threats to the lives of patients and attendees of the immunization program, which was organized by the Primary Health Care Center in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
He called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and other stakeholders in the security sector to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association has been drawn to the news-making round on the invasion of armed personnel at Eliozu Primary Health Center, in the program organized by the Ministry of Health and the primary health care management board concerning the immunization of children, and pregnant women against some killer diseases.
“These actions are quite condemnable and it is not acceptable to us, we vehemently condemn it because health institutions are where essential and critical care is being given and administered to people.
“Even in times of war health facilities are not being invaded rather they have been protected and health care providers are protected to render services to the critically ill.
“A scenario and event where preventive health care is being administered by immunization to mothers and children, also pregnant women, invasion of such environment by armed officers is highly commendable, not acceptable.
“On this note we want to state categorically that Nigerian Medical Association, we go strongly against this act while we call on the Inspector General of Police, all the critical stakeholders in the security sector to investigate the invasion of a health facility when children, armless mother’s and pregnant women are being invaded by security personnel’s”.
However, it was alleged that one CSP Salihu Masalachi, Head of the Police Tactical Unit Operations Center in Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government, led officers to disrupt a vital health program in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, held at the Eliozu community, on Wednesday 24 July 2024.
The event aimed at aiding pregnant women and nursing mothers, was violently interrupted by the invasion.
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