The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, on Tuesday directed its members at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, to immediately down tools over the assault of a female house officer at the facility.
The national executive officers of the association condemned the attack, which occurred at the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital after the death of a patient.
NARD claimed the young doctor was singled out and assaulted by about seven men, alleged to be students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, after being identified as one of the team members who attended to the deceased patient.
The doctors, in a statement signed by their President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, on Tuesday, said the assault was not only unacceptable but intolerable.
Usman described the incident as shocking and barbaric, saying it was a gross violation of human dignity and a direct threat to the safety of healthcare workers.
“Hospitals are sanctuaries of healing, not battlegrounds of violence. It is deeply disturbing that doctors, who continue to render selfless service under extremely challenging conditions, including delayed remuneration and overwhelming workloads, are now subjected to physical harm while discharging their duties. Such acts strike at the very heart of our healthcare system and must be met with firm and decisive action.”
NARD announced an immediate withdrawal of services by all its members at OOUTH Sagamu, including house officers, until adequate safety assurances are provided, noting that the action was in line with its zero-tolerance policy for assaults against doctors.
Demanding justice, NARD called for the urgent identification, arrest, and prosecution of all individuals involved in the attack, warning that failure to meet the demands will compel escalation of the strike to a regional and national industrial dispute.
“The Management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, must take immediate steps to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and appropriately sanctioned. They must take responsibility for the actions of their students, including covering the full cost of medical care and providing adequate compensation to the assaulted doctor.
“We call on the Management of OOUTH Sagamu to urgently overhaul and reinforce the security architecture within the hospital premises. Proactive measures must be instituted to prevent a recurrence, alongside addressing all welfare concerns affecting our members to promote a safe and conducive working environment.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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