The Chief Medical Director of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Ememabasi Bassey, has appealed to medical unions in the state to resume duties following the ongoing strike triggered by an incident involving officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Medical workers under the Nigerian Medical Association, Joint Health Sector Unions and other unions had withdrawn services after alleging the unwarranted arrest and assault of cardiologist Eyo Ekpe during an altercation with EFCC operatives.

Addressing journalists at the hospital, Bassey condemned the conduct of the EFCC officials involved, describing their actions as the result of overzealousness that did not reflect the values of the commission.

He, however, urged union leaders and medical personnel to consider the impact of the strike on vulnerable patients, including those in intensive care units, accident victims and newborn babies requiring urgent treatment.

“We are appealing to our colleagues and unions to consider the human lives involved. Patients are suffering. Newborn babies and critically ill persons are at risk,” the CMD said.

Bassey stated that despite the industrial action, hospital management, including Eyo Ekpe and senior medical staff, had worked to stabilise critical departments and ensure that patients already receiving treatment were not abandoned.

He also advised security agencies to exercise restraint in the discharge of their duties and assured health workers that steps had been taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

According to the CMD, the dispute stemmed from an attempt by investigators to verify a medical report allegedly issued on behalf of a suspect under investigation.

He said the document was later discovered to be fake and did not originate from the hospital.

“Some actors working in concert with lawyers or whoever for the suspect had opened a folder with no official footing and written a fake medical report on it,” Bassey said.