KEY POINTS
- Resident doctors at FMC Owo and its Akure Annex have commenced a 72-hour warning strike over the alleged assault of a doctor on duty.
- The doctors say the incident is the second attack on a healthcare worker at the institution this year.
- The association is demanding the arrest and prosecution of the suspects, improved hospital security, compensation for the victim, and a public apology.
Medical doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, and its Akure Annex have embarked on a 72-hour warning strike following the alleged assault of one of their colleagues by a patient’s relative within the hospital premises.
The industrial action was declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo, in protest against what it described as the growing threat of violence against healthcare workers while carrying out their professional duties.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday when a doctor attending to patients at the hospital was allegedly assaulted by the wife of a patient.
The situation reportedly escalated when some individuals later stormed the hospital searching for the doctor involved. The development forced hospital staff to move the medical practitioner to a secure location within the facility to ensure his safety.
The incident sparked outrage among healthcare workers, who expressed concerns over their safety in the workplace.
Doctors Condemn Rising Attacks On Health Workers
In a communiqué jointly signed by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Adeola Oluwadamilola, and the Secretary-General, Dr. Dare Aderemi, the association condemned the attack and described it as another disturbing example of the increasing violence faced by medical personnel.
The doctors alleged that the victim was physically assaulted by a patient and the patient’s daughter while carrying out his official duties.
They further noted that the latest incident marks the second recorded attack on a doctor at the institution in 2026, raising serious concerns about the security and welfare of healthcare professionals working at the facility.
The association warned that repeated attacks on medical workers could negatively affect service delivery and the overall quality of healthcare provided to patients.
In response to the incident, the resident doctors announced a 72-hour warning strike to draw attention to the safety challenges confronting healthcare workers.
The association said the action became necessary to protect its members and demand accountability from those responsible for the alleged assault.
Medical services at the institution are expected to be affected during the strike period, although emergency arrangements may be put in place for critical cases.
The strike highlights growing concerns over workplace violence in Nigeria’s health sector, where doctors and other medical personnel have increasingly reported cases of harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks by patients and their relatives.
Healthcare workers have repeatedly called on government authorities and hospital managements to strengthen security measures in medical facilities and ensure that perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice.
The resident doctors maintain that until decisive steps are taken to guarantee their safety, healthcare workers will continue to face significant risks while carrying out their lifesaving duties.
