The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned the massacre in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma local government area of Benue state, which claimed over 200 lives, including a young pharmacist, Matthew Lormba.

In a statement signed by its president, Monday, Osundara Tope, NARD described the continued bloodshed in Benue state as “alarming and condemnable.”

The association said the violence is taking its toll on an already “thinly stretched and fragile health system,” the statement said

It warned that the rising death toll poses a real risk of a humanitarian crisis and possible disease outbreaks, “which will overwhelm the ability of health workers to cope.”

NARD added that “unfortunately, it appears that the government does not have the wherewithal to protect life and property.”

The association described the killing of Matthew Lormba as “a stark reminder that health workers are now an endangered species of humans in the state and across Nigeria.”

It noted that some health workers were caught in the middle of the attacks, and the violence has diminished the strength of the health workforce in the state. (Blueprint)