The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the abduction of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.
Obi, in his verified X handle on Tuesday described it as a “deeply worrisome” development and an attack on Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.
To him, Dr. Mbanugo was kidnapped shortly after performing a successful surgery to remove a complex brain tumour, a testament to the doctor’s dedication to saving lives despite the country’s harsh working conditions.
“The kidnapping of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo is not just an attack on one man; it is an attack on our healthcare system and the hope of millions of Nigerians who depend on the selfless service of our few remaining specialists,” Obi stated.
He lamented that Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million, has fewer than 150 neurosurgeons, a ratio of one brain surgeon to about 1.9 million citizens compared to the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of at least one neurosurgeon per 100,000 people.
“This enormous gap highlights the sacrifices and pressure our doctors face daily, and the severe consequences of insecurity, which continues to drive many of them away,” Obi said.
The former Governor of Anambra State urged the Federal government to engage the United States and other international partners in efforts to tackle the worsening insecurity in the country, which, he noted, has made Nigeria “one of the most insecure places in the world.”
Obi called on security agencies to ensure the safe and immediate release of Dr. Mbanugo, stressing that “no nation can develop when its brightest minds live in fear.”
He added, “We must protect all, especially those who dedicate their lives to saving ours.”
- Media Report