By Ireti Asemota.
The kidnapping of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, has been characterized by Dr. Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, as a direct attack on Nigeria’s national health security. After doing several surgeries at the hospital, Dr. Mbanugo was abducted at Omaha Junction, Uruagu Nnewi, on his way home.
Salako said in a statement that the incident was especially upsetting because it had consequences for the nation’s already precarious health system. He pointed out that, out of a population of over 220 million, Nigeria has less than 150 active neurosurgeons, which is significantly less than the WHO standard of one neurosurgeon for every 100,000 people. Since there is only one neurosurgeon for every 1.9 million people in Nigeria, each specialist is extremely valuable. This
The minister urged the government of Anambra State and the appropriate security agencies to step up efforts to find Dr. Mbanugo and guarantee his immediate, safe, and unconditional release, calling doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals national assets that need to be safeguarded. “He was kidnapped just when he should have been safest—coming home after serving humanity,” Salako continued.
It was learned that the kidnappers used the doctor’s phone to call some of his coworkers, ostensibly to demand a ransom. According to hospital officials, the case has been reported to local vigilante groups, the Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Anambra State Police Command. Additionally,
Salako revealed that the NAUTH administration is collaborating closely with security organizations, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), along with other interested parties, to guarantee the neurosurgeon’s safe and timely discharge.
