Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, has described the abduction of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, as a direct attack on Nigeria’s national health security.
Sponsored Ads
Dr. Mbanugo was kidnapped at Omaha Junction, Uruagu Nnewi, while returning home after performing several surgeries at the hospital.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
In a statement, Salako said the incident was alarming and damaging to Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system. He revealed that the country has fewer than 150 neurosurgeons serving over 220 million people — far below the World Health Organisation’s benchmark of one per 100,000 citizens.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
“Nigeria currently has one neurosurgeon per 1.9 million citizens, making every specialist invaluable,” Salako said. “This abduction is a direct assault on national health security and a threat to our collective well-being.”
RELATED STORIES
Related Posts
He urged the Anambra State government and security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and secure the doctor’s release, describing health workers as “national assets who must be protected.”
Reports indicate that the kidnappers have reached out to some of Dr. Mbanugo’s colleagues using his phone, apparently to demand ransom.
Hospital authorities confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and local vigilante groups.
Salako said NAUTH management is working closely with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and relevant security agencies to ensure the doctor’s safe and immediate release.
Comments are closed.